Rutgers @ Maryland preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 5, 2019 ) Maryland 77, Rutgers 63

Ninth-ranked Maryland looks to stay in the hunt for its first Big Ten regular-season championship since joining the conference when it hosts Rutgers on Tuesday. The Terrapins have racked up four consecutive wins, including an impressive 82-72 victory against No. 17 Iowa on Thursday, to move within one-half game of first place in the conference standings, and hope to continue their winning ways by taking down the Scarlet Knights for the eighth consecutive time.

“Everybody’s kind of bought into the fact that no wins come easy,” Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins told reporters. “Everybody’s locked in and defensively we’re playing well so that’s what’s getting us wins.” Rutgers hopes to bounce back from a 69-63 loss to Michigan as part of the Big Ten’s Super Saturday series at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Scarlet Knights, who have dropped four of their five road games this season, were limited to 32.5 percent shooting en route to their 12th consecutive loss in the rivalry with the Wolverines, and hope to stay on track for their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 29 years by knocking off Maryland for the first time since 2015. “It’s not going to get easier down the stretch,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell told reporters. “This is the best league in the country and the challenges that come are numerous.”

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: Fox Sports 1

ABOUT RUTGERS (16-6, 7-4 Big Ten): Montez Mathis scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first half and pulled down eight rebounds, but the Scarlet Knights were unable to dig out of a 12-point hole. Akwasi Yeboah added 10 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals to finish in double figures for the 82nd time in his career while Jacob Young registered 10 points and five boards in the loss to the Wolverines. “These are all challenges for a young team and we'll just keep fighting through,” Pikiell told the media. “I like my team and we’ll be ready to play against a good Maryland team.”

ABOUT MARYLAND (17-4, 7-3): Anthony Cowan Jr. was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week after pouring in a career-high 31 points and dishing out six assists in the win against Iowa, which moved him past Walt Williams (1,704) for 12th place on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,716 points. Jalen Smith filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots against the Hawkeyes to record his 12th double-double of the season. Wiggins scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds while Darryl Morsell finished with 10 points as the Terrapins held Iowa to 36.2 percent shooting from the field.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Maryland has knocked down 32 3-pointers over its last three games.

2. Rutgers has outrebounded 17 of 22 opponents this season.

3. Smith is averaging 21.6 points and 11 rebounds in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Maryland 75, Rutgers 68