Purdue Basketball Game 27 preview: Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Purdue looks to clean up its overall game Thursday and avoid its first two-game losing streak when it visits Maryland. Turnovers have haunted the third-ranked Boilermakers in the last three games, including Sunday’s late-game meltdown loss at Northwestern. The Terrapins are in the hunt for a double-bye in the conference tournament and a victory over Purdue would keep them in the conversation. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten by two games over Northwestern.

Where: Xfinity Center

When: Thursday 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: BTN

Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)

In-game updates: GoldandBlack.com | Twitter @mike_carmin

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats

Maryland: Roster | Schedule | Stats

NUMBERS AND SUCH

Team	AP	Coaches	NET	KenPom	KenPom Win%
Purdue	3	3	4	4	55%
Maryland	–	–	28	23	45%

ON PURDUE (23-3, 12-3 B1G)

• The Boilermakers are in the midst of their first concerning stretch of the season, losing two of the last three games. Turnovers continue to haunt Purdue, committing 49 against Indiana, Iowa and Northwestern. And those teams are turning the mistakes into points, preventing the Boilermakers from building on leads or keeping them from making a comeback. Clearly, this is the No. 1 issue and needs to be addressed starting Thursday.

• Purdue needs to regain its shooting touch. It disappeared in the second half against the Wildcats as everyone not named Zach Edey missed a combined 13 of 14 field goals. The Boilermakers missed their final 13 attempts from 3-point range after building a 10-point lead. This team was coming off a stretch where it shot 50% or better in five straight Big Ten games for the first time since 1990. The shooting will come back, preferably against the Terrapins.

• Despite losing two of the last three games, the Boilermakers remain in good shape to win the Big Ten. The teams below Purdue in the standings are going to continue to beat up each other, adding more losses to their records. If one team can piece together a winning streak to put pressure on the Boilermakers, the stretch drive becomes interesting.

• The last time Purdue played Maryland, it was another tale of two halves adventure. The Boilermakers led by 14 at halftime and appeared ready to cruise to a double-digit victory. However, the turnovers increased – thanks to the Terrapins’ pressure – and the offense struggled in the second half. The turnovers led to nine fastbreak points and nine second-chance points for Maryland, which had a 3-point look to tie the game at the buzzer.

PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS

Starters

Center — 15 Zach Edey (7-4, 290, Junior)

Visibility frustrated by the physical play and the lack of calls going in his favor, but Edey must rise above it and continue to produce. It appeared he was going to carry the Boilermakers to the finish line by scoring enough to keep Northwestern in its six-point hole. But turnovers prevented Purdue from closing out the game. Edey’s own turnovers are starting to mount, committing a combined 13 in the last three games, including 11 in the two losses.

Forward— 1 Caleb Furst (6-10, 230, Sophomore)

Another strong start on the offensive end helped the Boilermakers build an early lead against the Wildcats. Totaled 17 points and 16 rebounds in the last two games.

Guard — 3 Braden Smith (6-0, 180, Freshman)

One game after scoring a career-high 24 points against Iowa, Smith couldn’t find his shooting touch. He missed six of seven field goal attempts but did produce at the line with a 7 of 8 performance. In the big picture, collected 24 assists and eight turnovers in the last four games.

Guard — 2 Fletcher Loyer (6-4, 185, Freshman)

Plagued by foul trouble in the first half against Northwestern and managed one field goal, leading to a season-low two points. Shooting 26.5% from 3-point range in the last nine games.

Guard/Forward — 25 Ethan Morton (6-7, 215, Junior)

Picked up three second-half fouls, including his fourth with 9:18 to play, and that limited his defensive production. Has 15 assists and five 3-pointers in the last five games.

Rotational Reserves

Forward — 0 Mason Gillis (6-6, 230, Junior)

Made three 3-pointers against Northwestern – all in the first 11 minutes – to give the Boilermakers a 10-point lead. Made multiple 3-pointers in three of the last four games.

Guard — 14 David Jenkins Jr. (6-1, 200, Senior)

Cooled off after a recent hot stretch going 0 of 6 from 3-point range against Northwestern and Iowa.

Guard — 5 Brandon Newman (6-5, 200, Junior)

Played well defensively in the first half Sunday with one block and one steal.

Forward/Center — 4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 225, Redshirt Freshman)

Made 10 of 13 field goals during the last six games.

Guard/Forward — 11 Brian Waddell (6-8, 195, Redshirt Freshman)

Note: Freshman center Will Berg and wing Camden Heide will redshirt this season.

ON MARYLAND (17-8, 8-6 B1G)

• Since losing by three points at Mackey Arena on Jan. 22, the Terrapins have won five of six games, including victories over Wisconsin and Indiana. The lone loss was an ugly affair at Michigan State when Maryland trailed 15-0 to start the game but stormed back to make a game of it in the second half. The loss at Purdue dropped the Terrapins to 3-5 in the Big Ten and they appeared headed for a middle-of-the-pack finish in the conference standings. Maryland still may settle in the middle but the schedule after Thursday is manageable to aim higher.

• Terrific at home. Below average on the road. That’s the best way to sum up the Terrapins’ Big Ten season. They’re unbeaten in league play in the Xfinity Center, knocking off Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and Penn State and have won a program-record 10 straight Big Ten games at home. Along with the Boilermakers, Maryland still has home games against Minnesota and Northwestern. The remaining road games aren’t daunting with matchups at Nebraska, Ohio State and Penn State.

• Maryland is one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the Big Ten, and the nation. The Terrapins rank No. 327 out of 352 teams to start the week and come in at No. 12 in the conference during league games. Against Purdue, Maryland was 3 of 21 one game after missing 12 of 15 against Michigan. Despite the poor perimeter shooting, the Terrapins are winning. They were 5 of 22 against Indiana but won by 11. Granted, Maryland made nine against Minnesota and eight against Nebraska showing its capable of enjoying success from the 3-point line.

PROJECTED MARYLAND LINEUPS

Forward — 10 Julian Reese (6-9, 230, So.)

Shooting an impressive 63.7% from the field in 23 games, including an 8 of 11 performance against the Boilermakers in January. The 19 points against Purdue are the most in a Big Ten game for Reese.

Forward — 24 Donta Scott (6-8, 230, Sr.)

Surpassed the 1,000-point mark earlier this season and continues to give the Terrapins instant offense. Scored in double figures in six of the last seven games, including four straight. Maryland is 11-1 when Scott and Young combine for at least 30 points.

Guard — 00 Don Carey (6-5, 187, Grad)

The transfer from Georgetown has appeared in 141 games during his career, including stops at Mount St. Mary’s and Siena. Made 235 career 3-pointers in five seasons but is 3 of 13 in the last four games.

Guard — 1 Jahmir Young (6-1, 185, Grad)

One of 13 active players in the NCAA to post 1,800 career points, 500 rebounds, and 300 assists, the transfer from Charlotte has given the Terrapins a different dimension. The Boilermakers – and Morton – kept him under control for most of the game but then Young made plays in the second half. He’s averaging 18.1 points in Big Ten games.

Guard — 13 Hakim Hart (6-8, 205, Sr.)

Coming off a season-best 23 points in the victory over Penn State. Long and athletic and brings a solid defensive presence, helping the Terrapins force turnovers. He’s led Maryland in steals 11 times, including in six Big Ten games. One of three players to shoot 80% or better from the line.

Bench

Forward – 15 Patrick Emilien (6-7, 210, Grad)

The transfer from St. Francis (NY) has played at least 16 minutes in four of the last five games.

Forward – 23 Ian Martinez (6-3, 185, Jr.)

Scored seven points in 15 minutes in the first meeting against Purdue.

Guard – 2 Jahari Long (6-5, 200, Jr.)

Totaled 14 assists and three turnovers in Big Ten games.

LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES

• This situation is similar to when the Boilermakers lost to Rutgers. A tough road game was next at Ohio State and Purdue was in a hole in the first half but climbed out of it and started a nine-game winning streak. The same approach of going on the road could serve the Boilermakers well.

• The bizarre nature of when Purdue’s turnovers pop up remains perplexing. A lot of turnovers in the first half at Indiana. A lot of turnovers in the second halves against Iowa and Northwestern. The dramatic swings of momentum certainly keeps it interesting.

• On Jan. 30, Maryland coach Kevin Willard called Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis “the best college basketball player right now” before the Terrapins played the Hoosiers. He added he’s more dominant than Edey. This week, Willard called Edey “the most dominant player in college basketball.”

PREDICTION: PURDUE 65, MARYLAND 61

The first meeting wasn’t on pace to be a low-scoring affair with the Boilermakers holding a double-digit lead at halftime, but the turnovers and poor shooting brought the Terrapins back into the game. Maryland has been solid at home, averaging 73.1 points in its last six Big Ten games. Purdue will need to keep up offensively and can’t see a repeat of the second half at Northwestern develop again or the Big Ten race becomes a sprint to the finish.