Maryland @ Rutgers preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 4, 2020 ) Rutgers 51, Maryland 56

Ninth-ranked Maryland can clinch at least a share of its first Big Ten regular-season title since joining the conference in 2014 when it visits Rutgers on Tuesday. The Terrapins missed a chance to seal the deal on Saturday after suffering a 78-66 setback to No. 17 Michigan State, which is one game back with two left to play, and they hope to get the job done by beating the Scarlet Knights for the ninth straight time.

“We’re not going to get down and we’re not going to get too low,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon told reporters. “We’re still in first place and have a chance to win the league so we’ll see what happens.” Rutgers was seemingly cruising towards its first NCAA Tournament berth in 29 years, but went 2-6 in the month of February to potentially fall on the wrong side of the bubble. The Scarlet Knights have lost three consecutive games after dropping a 65-64 decision to No. 20 Penn State on Wednesday, and they hope to strengthen their case for a postseason bid by knocking off the Terrapins for the first time since 1991. “We’re resilient, we’re tough and we’ll bounce back,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell told reporters. “We’re playing elite teams but you have to play a full 40 minutes.”

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: Big Ten Network

ABOUT MARYLAND (23-6, 13-5 Big Ten): Jalen Smith registered 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocked shots against Michigan State to notch his 11th double-double in the last 12 games. Anthony Cowan Jr. scored 13 points, but went 6-of-15 from the floor and missed all three of his 3-point attempts, while Donta Scott scored 10 points against the Spartans. Darryl Morsell, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer against Minnesota last week, tallied eight points while Aaron Wiggins was limited to four on 1-of-7 shooting from the floor.

ABOUT RUTGERS (18-11, 9-9): Jacob Young provided a spark off the bench with a team-leading 13 points to go along with five assists and three steals, but the Scarlet Knights fell short at Penn State after coming back from 21 points down. Ron Harper Jr. added nine points and seven rebounds while Geo Baker finished with eight points, including the go-ahead jumper with 42 seconds left, but Penn State answered with a 3-pointer down the stretch to quash the comeback. “We needed to get a stop and we didn’t,” Pikiell said. “The game could’ve gotten ugly but it didn’t as our guys stayed the course.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Smith is tied for fourth nationally in double-doubles (19).

2. Rutgers has won a nation’s-best 17 home games.

3. Cowan is 0-of-12 from 3-point range over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Maryland 72, Rutgers 68