Florida Gators vs Maryland Terrapins preview
The No. 20 Florida Gators (7-2) look to start a winning streak Sunday afternoon. Florida is set to take on the Maryland Terrapins (5-4) in the Barclays Center on the Big Ten Network.
The Gators haven’t faced the Terps since 2003 when they lost 69-68 in Gainesville but still lead the all-time series 2-1.
The Terps are currently on a three-game losing streak, and it’s not getting any easier after head coach Mark Turgeon stepped down on December 3.
Keys to victory for the Gators
Although they’re shooting 29.7% from beyond the arc, the Gators love to shoot the three-ball. Guards Brandon McKissic and Myreon Jones are two guys who can get hot from outside.
The Gators lack in size and a team like Maryland can expose that. Florida forward Colin Castleton will have to win the battle on the glass and finish high-percentage shots in the paint.
Gators’ forward Jason Jitoboh’s short number of minutes of action will be valuable as well. Teams struggle to cover his 6-foot-11, 305-pound frame, which allows him to be a force underneath the basket.
The Gators have to move the ball well. With four players with over 10 points per game on the season, it’s no question this team can score. Getting open looks is what makes those players successful from the field.
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The energy is key in this game. The Gators came out flat-footed against Texas Southern, and they got upset. The first few minutes of the game will be telling of what kind of energy the Gators brought to New York.
Maryland’s players to watch
Guards Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell run the backcourt. Ayala leads the team with 13.1 points per game and Russell is the quarterback of the offense with a team-high 3.7 assists per game.
Castleton’s biggest challenge in the paint will be forward Qudus Wahab, who averages 11.1 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. He shoots 60.7% from the field.
Forward Donta Scott leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game while averaging 10.2 points per game.
Although the Terps sit just above a .500 record, they still have what it takes to compete with the Gators for 40 minutes and potentially pull off the upset.
