Maryland vs. Hawaii Prediction – Who’s Got Next
Maryland vs. Hawaii prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s second round matchup between the Terps/Jackrabbits and Rainbow Warriors.
Maryland vs. Hawaii prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s second round matchup between the Terps and Rainbow Warriors.
How they got here
Maryland beat No. 12 South Dakota State 79-74; Hawaii beat No. 4 California 77-66.
Why Maryland will win
Maryland features plenty of talent at every position, and this is a team that should be among the favorites to win it all. But that’s on paper. Despite having a strong point guard in Melo Trimble, a quality swingman in Rasheed Sulaimon, a great stretch-4 in Jake Layman and a dominant big in Diamond Stone, the Terps simply don’t play well as a team every time out. There’s always a question of which Maryland team is going to show up from game to game. To beat Hawaii, the Terps need Stone and Layman to be strong in the paint and control the glass on both ends. Trimble can’t try to do too much and has to take care of the ball, and forward Robert Carter must play within himself as well.
Why Hawaii will win
The Rainbow Warriors stunned California by shutting down Cal’s perimeter game and forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets. Guards Quincy Smith and Roderick Bobbit love to go to the bucket, but they don’t try to do too much on the floor and provide a rudder for Hawaii. Forward Stefan Jankovic gives Hawaii a presence in the post, and his ability to protect the rim and even step out to knock down a three will keep opponents honest.
Maryland vs. Hawaii Prediction
If Maryland can play disciplined basketball and function as a unit, there’s no reason they shouldn’t move on. Hawaii took Cal out of its game and simply wore down the Bears mentally, and the Rainbow Warriors will have a shot to do the same vs. the Terps. Still, we think Maryland will pull out a close one.
Maryland vs. Hawaii Final Score Prediction: Maryland 74, Hawaii 70
