Wisconsin
vs.
Maryland
Big 10
College Basketball
Pick – Analysis
2/24/15
ACCording to the numbers, this will probably be Wisconsin’s hardest Game of the Conference season. The Badgers travel to Maryland, a team that has been in second place in the Big Ten for just about the entire year.
Everyone knows that Wisconsin is the best team in the Conference this season and there’s no questioning that. They are 13-1 in the Big Ten, with that lone loss coming strangely at Rutgers in a Game Frank Kaminsky didn’t play in. Other than that, it’s been mostly smooth sailing, especially at home. Maryland has a chance because of that reason.
The Terrapins haven’t lost at home yet in Conference play, which should give them plenty of confidence going into this one. However, things haven’t been all that easy for this team as of late, no matter where they play. They haven’t played a great road Game since early January, and they haven’t won a Game convincingly since Jan. 17 when they demolished a lackluster Michigan State squad. Recent home results include single-digit wins against Nebraska, Indiana, Penn State and Northwestern. Three of those teams are at the bottom of the conference, yet Maryland couldn’t pull away against any of them. Even in College Park, Maryland will need to bring its A-Game against Wisconsin.
The Badgers have an all-around squad on both ends of the floor, which is a good reason they’ve been near the Top 5 all season long. They have size, shooters and reliable guard play. They haven’t allowed more than 55 points in five straight Games, an impressive feat no matter the opponents. Stopping the bigs of Frank Kaminsky and Nigel Hayes is going to be Maryland’s biggest issue. The Terps will have to throw the likes of Damonte Dodd, Jake LAyman and Evan Smotrycz at those guys, which probably won’t end will.
Kaminsky should have his way with Dodd, while Hayes should be able to muscle those other guys down low if needed. For the Terps to have a chance, Melo Trimble needs to go off along with solid offensive Games from Dez Wells and LAyman. The freshman Trimble is still a force for Maryland, reaching 26 points last Game and at least 18 in Four straight. Bo Ryan will throw any one of his guards at Trimble, but that job will likely go to the ever-consistent and feisty Josh Gasser. Dez Wells will have to match up with the bigger Sam Dekker, which is an immediate problem. Wisconsin usually has an edge at that spot because of Dekker’s size and this time is no different. Trimble and Wells will both have to use their athleticism to open up shots for themselves.
OUtside of Wisconsin’s bigs on offense, all of their guys can shoot and Bronson Koenig has been great at point since Traevon Jackson went down with an injury.
The way Maryland has played over the last few weeks is not going to cut it against this Wisconsin team. The Terps are at a disadvantage at almost every position and it’s going to take a complete team effort to beat the Badgers. Beating Wisconsin isn’t impossible in this Game, but it will take a huge effort.
Our Prediction – Wisconsin by 8