Maryland basketball is looking to finish off the non-conference schedule on the right foot at home against UMBC Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The Terps are currently on a five-game winning streak coming into Friday’s game with the Retrievers.
The team suffered a major blow to its roster on Thursday afternoon as it was announced that sophomore forward Justin Jackson was ruled out for the season with a torn labrum. The forward had missed the last three games, and was averaging 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds this year.
Even without Jackson, Maryland will be heavily favored against UMBC. This is probably the last game this year that Andrew Terrell has a chance to play and possibly score in, adding to his career collegiate points total of three. If the Terps want to win comfortably Friday night, they need to limit their turnovers, as they are currently ranked 338th in the country in turnover margin.
The numbers
Maryland: 11-3 (1-1 Big Ten)
UMBC: 8-5
All-time series: Maryland leads 13-0 (first meeting since 2002)
Odds: Maryland is favored by 17.5 points
How to watch and listen
Friday Dec. 29th, 8 p.m. ET, Xfinity Center, College Park
TV: FS1 (Justin Kutcher, Tarik Turner)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go
Radio: 105.7 FM (Balt.) / 980 AM (DC), Sirus (132) / XM (381), TuneIn Radio App (Johnny Holliday, Chris Knoche, Walt Williams); WMUC Sports
In other news
Maryland women’s basketball started out its Big Ten campaign strong, defeating Illinois, 100-65, at the Xfinity Center. Kaila Charles put up 24 and Blair Watson put up 22 for the Terps in the win.
The Terps’ 2018 recruiting class for men’s basketball might get even better, as Jalen Lecque, the 10th best recruit in the Class of 2019, is now considering reclassifying to 2018, specifically citing Maryland as a school that was pursuing him hard. According to 247Sports Crystal Ball Projections, Lecque has a 50/50 shot of either going to North Carolina or Oregon.
From InsideMdSports, new Maryland defensive end Byron Cowart is ready to make the most of his potential.
Maryland wrestling will send out its best wrestlers to the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Illinois, on Friday and Saturday, with Youssif Hemida seeming like the Terps’ best bet to potentially place.