Maryland Heads to Rutgers Seeking Third Straight Win
Maryland’s men’s basketball team hits the road on Sunday with fresh momentum, aiming to stretch a surprising two-game Big Ten streak to three. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p. m. ET at Jersey Mike’s Arena, and the Terps will try to build on gritty wins over Minnesota and a signature victory against Iowa.
Terps riding momentum after rocky January
What felt unlikely just weeks ago has begun to look attainable. Maryland stumbled through a difficult January, but consecutive victories — a tough road outing at Minnesota followed by a 7-point win over a team that entered the season 18-5 — have reframed expectations. Those results have injected confidence into a roster that struggled for consistency earlier in the year.
The recent surge has featured breakout performances from younger pieces. A redshirt freshman guard poured in 24 points in the Iowa game and has raised his scoring average to 16. 3 points in February, offering Maryland a much-needed secondary scoring option. That scoring punch, combined with the team’s ability to defend and take care of the ball in key moments, has been the difference in recent wins.
Coach Buzz Williams' group will try to keep that momentum intact in a game that shapes up as a manageable but potentially tricky road test. Maryland has won the last three meetings with Rutgers and sits at an even split in the past decade of matchups, so the Terps know they can control the series if they execute.
Rutgers' struggles present matchup challenges
Rutgers arrives at this point of the season amid a rough stretch, with only two conference wins on its ledger and a multi-game losing skid. The Scarlet Knights have shown a surprising reliance on a single primary scoring option who dominates usage off the bench and averages better than 16 points per game. That player’s efficiency and volume drive much of Rutgers’ offense, while a sophomore forward provides toughness on the offensive glass and a senior center patrols the paint with physicality and rebounding presence.
Offensive rebounding is a glaring matchup factor. Rutgers ranks among the conference leaders in second-chance opportunities, averaging roughly a dozen offensive rebounds per game. Those extra possessions can erase deficits quickly and keep Maryland off the offensive glass if the Terps aren’t disciplined in boxing out.
On the other end, Rutgers has struggled to score — posting the fewest points per game in the league — and its defense has allowed over 76 points a contest, a combination that puts pressure on the Scarlet Knights to generate points in messy possessions. Maryland’s defensive approach will need to balance stifling the primary scorer while limiting offensive rebounds and transition chances.
X-factors and what to watch
Key variables will determine whether Maryland leaves New Jersey with a winning streak intact. First, the continuing emergence of the redshirt freshman scorer: if he sustains his recent efficiency and shot-creation, Maryland’s offense becomes harder to defend. Second, rebounding discipline — particularly against Rutgers’ heavy offensive glass — will be essential. Turnovers that lead to extra attempts could erase any scoring margin the Terps build.
Depth and matchup flexibility also matter. Maryland’s ability to mix lineups, protect the paint against a bulky interior presence, and deploy defenders to cut off drivers will test Rutgers’ limited offensive options. Conversely, if the Scarlet Knights find a way to free their primary scorer or convert on putbacks, the game could become more competitive than records suggest.
Both teams enter the contest with clear incentives: Maryland to keep momentum alive and climb in the conference standings, Rutgers to halt a skid and find answers at both ends of the floor. With a midday tip and the chance for the Terps to string together a notable conference run, the matchup is positioned as a defining moment in the closing stretch of Big Ten play.
