Testudo Times - Maryland men's basketball visits Purdue – 2016 game updatesSB Nation's award-winning Maryland Terrapins sitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50025/testudo-fav.png2016-03-01T05:30:02-05:00http://www.testudotimes.com/rss/stream/108853412016-03-01T05:30:02-05:002016-03-01T05:30:02-05:00Maryland will watch Iowa-Indiana game closely
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wdzQ9GmdJOznjlrGEtsckwGBimo=/0x0:2184x1456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48967105/usa-today-9082633.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Hawkeyes host the Hoosiers in Iowa City on Tuesday, and Maryland could really use an Indiana win. </p> <p>Byes are important. The best way to not be eliminated from a tournament is to not have to play games in it, and the Maryland men's basketball team has had an inside track on getting <i>two </i>byes in this month's Big Ten Tournament. The top four teams in the conference each get to skip the first two days of the tournament in Indianapolis, and that's a big deal. It means an extra practice day, less fatigue and a statistically better chance of winning the whole thing.</p>
<p>Yet, Maryland's lost three games out of four, throwing the Terps' positioning for a double bye into some danger. A more exhaustive look at the league's standings, however, shows that Maryland's still probably OK, at least if one thing happens on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Andrew Vailliencourt <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewVcourt/status/704355703868276736">tweeted</a> a mostly helpful how-to guide on figuring out Big Ten scenarios heading into the last week of the season. It visualizes good things for Maryland:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oPDiA3DTClufyC6sscjuMFNjJ_I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6125419/CcZfxMtWIAQ1GP9.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>I actually think this table isn't <i>quite </i>right, but it's right if you make the assumption that Maryland beats Illinois at home on Thursday night. That will probably happen, and if it does, a Hawkeyes loss to the Big Ten-leading Hoosiers would, as the table seems to also assume, mean Maryland automatically finishes ahead of Iowa.</p>
<p>Iowa (which has quietly lost four of five games) faces Indiana on Tuesday night. If the Hoosiers win that game and Maryland doesn't flop against the Illini, Maryland automatically double-byes into the conference tournament's quarterfinal round.</p>
<p>How does this happen? It's complicated, but actually simple. Here's the top of the Big Ten on Tuesday morning:</p>
<table style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc;" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TEAM"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">TEAM</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CONF"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">CONF</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"OVERALL"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">OVERALL</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indiana"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/84/indiana-hoosiers" class="in-cell-link">Indiana</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"13-3"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">13-3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"23-6"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">23-6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michigan State"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/127/michigan-state-spartans" class="in-cell-link">Michigan State</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"11-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">11-5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"24-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">24-5</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Maryland"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins" class="in-cell-link">Maryland</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"11-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">11-5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"23-6"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">23-6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Iowa"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2294/iowa-hawkeyes" class="in-cell-link">Iowa</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"11-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">11-5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"20-8"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">20-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Wisconsin"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/275/wisconsin-badgers" class="in-cell-link">Wisconsin</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"11-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">11-5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"19-10"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">19-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ohio State"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/194/ohio-state-buckeyes" class="in-cell-link">Ohio State</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"11-6"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">11-6</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"19-11"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">19-11</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Purdue"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2509/purdue-boilermakers" class="in-cell-link">Purdue</a></td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"10-6"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">10-6</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"22-7"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">22-7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>If Maryland <i>does </i>beat Illinois, an Iowa loss on Tuesday automatically puts the Terps ahead of the Hawkeyes, because the Terps have a head-to-head tiebreaker between the two teams. In this same scenario, a Maryland win on Thursday guarantees the Terps will finish ahead of Ohio State, which then could only match Maryland's six losses in the league and would lose on a head-to-head tiebreaker. (Maryland swept the Buckeyes in their season series.)</p>
<p>If Iowa beats Indiana, it's likelier than not that Maryland needs to beat Indiana in Bloomington next weekend to keep a double bye. The Terps beating Illinois would be potentially irrelevant in this case, because the Hawkeyes could still pass Maryland by winning their final game at Michigan, and Wisconsin and Michigan State would each have straightforward paths to finish ahead of Maryland.</p>
<p>(On another hand, it's reasonable to want Indiana to <i>lose </i>to Iowa, because then the Terps could win out and theoretically tie the Hoosiers for a Big Ten regular season title next weekend. Two things, though: First, Maryland is probably going to lose that game anyway, and second, regular season titles are as hollow as nesting dolls.)</p>
<p>Anyway, if Indiana beats Iowa and Maryland doesn't lose out, the Terps are safe. The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes tip at 9 p.m. Maryland time on ESPN, and it's going to be something worth Terps fans' watching.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/3/1/11137438/maryland-basketball-has-major-interest-in-indiana-beating-iowa-onAlex Kirshner2016-02-27T19:20:53-05:002016-02-27T19:20:53-05:00Maryland's worst rebounding effort in 15 years
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c8A4q5yb7HH3uSC9H9zI03JNclg=/0x1470:2100x2870/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48952437/usa-today-9143263.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The advanced stats review of the Terps' loss to the Boilermakers: This was Maryland's most pitiful rebounding display in a generation. </p> <p>The Maryland men's basketball team <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/27/11127010/terps-purdue-final-score-recap-stats-2016">lost at Purdue</a> on Saturday, and the numbers tell the exact same story you probably saw with your own two eyes: The Terps couldn't rebound, and it crushed them against the Boilers.</p>
<p>Here's a look at how Maryland fared in the "four factors" of team efficiency: effective field goal percentage (eFG%), turnover percentage (TOV%), offensive rebounding percentage (ORB%) and free throw tries per field goal attempt (FTA/FGA). These are the gory details.</p>
<h4>Shooting</h4>
<p><b>Maryland: 51.6 eFG% // Purdue: 57.5 eFG% // National average: 49.8 eFG%</b></p>
<p>Maryland and Purdue both shot <i>fine </i>in this game, with Purdue doing a little better from the field than Maryland. The big difference here was that Maryland needed 20 attempts to nail seven three-pointers, while Purdue needed just 17.</p>
<h4>Turnovers</h4>
<p><b>Maryland: 9.1 TOV% // Purdue: 22.7 TOV% // National average: 18.2 TOV%</b></p>
<p>This was Maryland's best turnover performance of the season, by far. The Terps gave up a season-low six turnovers and forced 15, including a late run of five once Mark Turgeon went to a full-court press in the game's final five minutes. That press brought Maryland back from nine points down to a tied score, and the Terps probably would've been able to win the game, were it not for ...</p>
<h4>Rebounding</h4>
<p><b>Maryland: 29 ORB% // Purdue: 59.4 ORB% // National average: 29.8 ORB%</b></p>
<p>Holy hell, Maryland. The Terps gave up 19 offensive rebounds on 29 Boilermaker missed shots! That's a truthfully mind-boggling statistic, and one that led to a 24-10 edge in second-chance points for Matt Painter's team. Johnny Hill, a <i>guard</i>, had four offensive rebounds, and six of his teammates had at least two apiece. It's hard to win when the other team gets multiple chances on 60 percent of its possessions.</p>
<p>This was Maryland's worst rebounding game in <i>years</i>. The Terps hadn't allowed even a 40 percent offensive board rate since last season. Nobody had done more than 50 percent since North Carolina State in March 2009. The last time a team did more damage on Maryland's defensive glass? We don't know, because Ken Pomeroy's data tracking only goes back to 2001. It's at least the worst in 15 years. It was a pitiful display.</p>
<h4>Free throw attempts</h4>
<p><b>Maryland: 0.295 FTA/FGA // Purdue: 0.333 FTA/FGA // National average: 0.366 FTA/FGA</b></p>
<p>Maryland took 18 free throws to Purdue's 20 and scored two more points at the line than the Boilermakers. This was fairly even and pretty good for Maryland, given that the game was played in West Lafayette. It underscores that Maryland lost for one reason and one reason alone: The Terps cannot rebound.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/27/11127658/terps-purdue-game-final-score-result-stats-rebounding-advanced-2016Alex Kirshner2016-02-27T18:45:02-05:002016-02-27T18:45:02-05:00Reaction: What went wrong in Maryland's loss?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I9v37xPu3qPzssAz_LjucU0fmFg=/0x102:2736x1926/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48952343/usa-today-9143257.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our Facebook Live segment on Maryland's loss. </p> <p>We tried something new after Maryland's basketball game against Purdue on Saturday, an <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/27/11127010/terps-purdue-final-score-recap-stats-2016">83-79 loss</a>. Facebook Live is a newish feature that lets us broadcast live after the final buzzer and go over games, and we decided to give it a shot.</p>
<p>You can see the live comments <a href="https://www.facebook.com/testudotimes/videos/1131764130175063/">here</a>.</p>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<p>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
// --></script>
</p>
<div data-href="https://www.facebook.com/testudotimes/videos/1131764130175063/" data-allowfullscreen="1" class="fb-video">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/testudotimes/videos/1131764130175063/"></a>
<p>Maryland basketball falls to Purdue. What happened?</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/testudotimes/">Testudo Times</a> on Saturday, February 27, 2016</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Here's the tl;dr for those who aren't interested in actually watching a 15-minute video:</p>
<p>Maryland's rebounding was putrid and the biggest reason the Terps weren't able to get past the Boilers. The Terps lost the total rebounding battle 41-22 and gave up offensive rebounds on an unconscionable 19 out of 29 Purdue missed shots from the field. The result was 24 second-chance points for the Boilers (against 10 for the Terps), and when a team loses a game by four points, it's hard to look any further than that for an explanation.</p>
<p>The Terps are now 23-6 and 11-5 in the Big Ten. They're in real danger of losing a double bye in the league tournament.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/27/11127584/terps-purdue-final-score-recap-discussion-videoAlex Kirshner2016-02-27T18:20:09-05:002016-02-27T18:20:09-05:00Maryland falls to Purdue, 83-79
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3Jf_2sqnn8-1ZA7FBptDvC9r0tQ=/0x15:3000x2015/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48952269/usa-today-9143260.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps couldn't cap a late run.</p> <p>Maryland men's basketball couldn't finish a late comeback against Purdue, dropping a 83-79 game Saturday at Mackey Arena.</p>
<p>After it appeared the Boilermakers were running away with it, the Terps made a late run thanks to an incessant full-court press. Jake Layman tied the game at 76 on a layup with 2:12 left after a Rasheed Sulaimon steal, but Purdue took a three-point lead on an A.J. Hammons free throw and a Johnny Hill layup, and Maryland couldn't even it up again.</p>
<p>Big men A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas were too much for the Terps to handle from the very beginning. The 7-footers combined for 28 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boilermakers received an unexpectedly great performance from Dakota Mathias. The sophomore guard had 17 points, and made 3 of his 6 three-point attempts.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3603867/mustreads-compact-only.css" rel="stylesheet">
</p>
<p>Jake Layman was Maryland's most efficient offensive player, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting.</p>
<p>Diamond Stone had a productive showing against Purdue's skyscrapers, finishing with 18 points. He was able to blow by Haas on a couple occasions, and added four blocks. He didn't have a perfect game, but most bigs don't against Purdue's length.</p>
<p>Offensive rebounding was again a huge problem for the Terps. Purdue finished with a 19-9 advantage in that department, which proved to be killer. The Boilermakers finished with 24 second-chance points.</p>
<p>Maryland got off to an even worse start than it did against Minnesota or Wisconsin, trailing 24-8 with 12 minutes to go in the first half. The Terps responded to Purdue's 12-0 run with a 7-0 run of their own. The Terps clawed their way back from a 16-point deficit to make it a 44-39 game at halftime.</p>
<p>Maryland stuck close to Purdue for much of the second half, and the Terps finally broke through. Things briefly spiraled out of control late, as the Terps continued to give up offensive rebounds and mixed in some turnovers. But an excellent press defense forced enough turnovers to make it a game late.</p>
<h4>Three things to know</h4>
<p><b>1. Maryland got off to a really slow start.</b> The Terps had nothing going for them early, but somehow recovered to make it a game by halftime. This one looked over early, but Maryland came back to make a game of it.</p>
<p><b>2. Melo Trimble is still off.</b> Maryland's star guard was still unable to hit shots from the field, and that once again proved to be the difference for the Terps. He missed several open threes and finished 4-of-12 from the field, though his 19 points did lead the team. He continued his dominance from the free-throw line, but missed a key foul shot late. His lack of production really hurt once again.</p>
<p><b>3. Maryland still couldn't rebound.</b> Having less rebounds than an enormous team like Purdue is understandable, but the Terps really couldn't grab any boards Saturday. At halftime, Trimble was the only Terp with multiple rebounds, and the Boilermakers grabbed 19 of their 29 misses, which illustrates the futility Maryland experienced.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/27/11127010/terps-purdue-final-score-recap-stats-2016Ryan Connors2016-02-27T13:00:03-05:002016-02-27T13:00:03-05:00GameThread: Maryland vs. Purdue
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/79f7Nfep0-JxKbCFvg9XTUXohzc=/0x100:2559x1806/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48935011/usa-today-9098750.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The games only grow more critical from here on out.</p> <p>The Maryland men's basketball team is in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday for a<a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/26/11108614/terps-purdue-game-time-tv-preview-stats-2016/in/10885341"> critical late-season game</a> against Purdue. The Terps could take the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament by winning their last three games, or they could fall out of the top four and miss a double bye if they underperform.</p>
<p>It's the second meeting of the month between the Terps and Boilermakers. The Terps beat them, 72-61, on Feb. 6, behind terrific games from Rasheed Sulaimon (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Robert Carter Jr. (19 points, 7 rebounds). They'll need similarly great performances from their stars to beat the Boilers at Mackey Arena, where Purdue is a sterling 15-1 on the season. There are few more difficult places to win on the road than West Lafayette.</p>
<p>The Terps are 23-5 on the season and 11-4 in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers are 21-7 and 9-6, and a Maryland win here would guarantee the Terps a higher finish in the league standings.</p>
<p>After the game, I'll be talking about it live with whoever is interested <a href="https://www.facebook.com/testudotimes/">on our Facebook page.</a></p>
<fieldset class="poll-box">
<legend>Poll</legend>
<h5 class="poll-title">What will be the outcome of Maryland's game against Purdue?</h5>
<div id="poll_container_344893_429441491" class="poll_container">
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">16%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Maryland wins by 1-5 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">16</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">12%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Maryland wins by 6-10 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">12</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">5%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Maryland wins by more than 10 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">5</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">29%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Purdue wins by 1-5 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">29</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">25%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Purdue wins by 6-10 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">25</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">14%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>Purdue wins by more than 10 points</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">14</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>101</strong> votes
| <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span>
</p>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
jQuery(document).ready(function(){
new SBN.Poll('poll_container_344893_429441491').animateResults({renderImmediately:true});
});
</script>
</fieldset>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2016/2/27/11114158/gamethread-maryland-vs-purdueAlex Kirshner2016-02-26T17:56:26-05:002016-02-26T17:56:26-05:00Maryland opens as 3-point underdog at Purdue<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/odds">Maryland basketball opens as 3-point underdog at&nbsp;Purdue</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Rare is the game in which Las Vegas doesn't think the Maryland basketball team will win. "Rare" includes Saturday's game at Purdue, in which bettors have Maryland as a three-point underdog.</p></p></div>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2016/2/26/11122406/maryland-basketball-opens-as-3-point-underdog-at-purdueAlex Kirshner2016-02-26T06:00:03-05:002016-02-26T06:00:03-05:00Maryland vs. Purdue preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X8MHkpxEZq3WBVcftAx-Bjr1-Kg=/0x107:3619x2520/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48928581/DSC_9737.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sung Min Kim/Testudo Times</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps face one of their most challenging games of the year. </p> <p>The Maryland men's basketball team has a chance to turn the recent narrative about it on its head when it visits Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette.</p>
<p>Lately, Maryland has struggled to play well on the road or anywhere. The Terps haven't had an unqualified <i>good </i>win since these same Boilermakers visited College Park on Feb. 6, and they've slid to their lowest ranking of the season this week, ninth in the AP Top 25. The Terps can flip that script, in a game that tips on ESPN at 4 p.m. EST.</p>
<h3>Purdue Boilermakers (21-7, 9-6 Big Ten)</h3>
<h4>The coach</h4>
<p><b>Matt Painter </b>is 233-132 in 11 seasons at Purdue. He previously coached one 25-5 season at Southern Illinois before replacing Gene Keady in West Lafayette in 2005.</p>
<h4>Players to know</h4>
<p><b>A.J. Hammons, senior, center, 7'0, No. 20. </b>Hammons is an all-conference player and the best one Purdue has. He averages 15 points and 8 rebounds. He blocks shots, makes his free throws and is a general two-way force.</p>
<p><b>Isaac Haas, sophomore, center, 7'2, No. 44. </b>Painter usually splits up Haas and Hammons, so Purdue has a troll-sized big man at the five spot for just about the entire game. "Small ball" is not a thing for the Boilers. Haas averages 10 points and 4 boards and is similar to Hammons, except he's not <i>quite </i>as dominant and he's a bit wider.</p>
<p><b>Rapheal Davis, senior, guard, 6'5, No. 35. </b>Davis is the Big Ten's reigning defensive player of the year and a brilliant wing stopper who averages 9 points and 4 rebounds. He makes 38 percent of his threes and can slash a little bit, making him a challenging player to handle on both ends of the court.</p>
<p><b>P.J. Thompson, sophomore, guard, 5'10, No. 3. </b>Thompson is Purdue's truest point guard, and he does that job really well. He has an outrageous 136 offensive rating this year, because he shoots 40 percent on threes and 80 percent at the foul line – and pairs those splits with strong turnover and assist numbers.</p>
<p><b>Vince Edwards, sophomore, guard/forward, 6'7, No. 12. </b>Edwards sometimes plays as an oversized point guard, and he's just a generally versatile player with a lot of athleticism. He averages 10 points, one of just three Boilers (along with Haas and Hammons) to sit in double figures.</p>
<h4>Strengths</h4>
<p><b>Defense. </b>Purdue is still one of the hardest teams to score on in the entire country. The Boilers give up just 64 points per game (19th) and place 10th in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted per-possession efficiency. They don't give up easy shots inside or outside, and they keep teams off the foul line.</p>
<p><b>Offensive rebounding. </b>This could be a problem for the Terrapins. Purdue grabs back 36 percent of its missed shots, the 28th-best rate in the country, and gives itself plenty of extra chances to score points. Hammons, Edwards guard Johnny Hill and five-star freshman forward Caleb Swanigan are the ringleaders in this department.</p>
<h4>Weaknesses</h4>
<p><b>Forcing turnovers. </b>There are few trouble spots in Purdue's statistical profile, and perhaps this one isn't, either, given how well the Boilermakers defend shots. But they don't get a lot of steals: They're 344th in the country in turnover rate on defense, flipping possession on just 14 percent of opposing trips up the court.</p>
<h4>Predictions</h4>
<p><b>KenPom: </b>Purdue, 71-66. The Boilermakers have a 68 percent chance to win.</p>
<p><b>Alex</b>: Purdue, 73-65.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-basketball/2016/2/26/11108614/terps-purdue-game-time-tv-preview-stats-2016Alex Kirshner