Maryland vs. UConn Prediction, Game Preview
Maryland vs. UConn prediction and game preview for when the Terrapins go up against the Huskies in Madison Square Garden.
The Maryland Terrapins will head to New York City to take on the the Connecticut Huskies in Madison Square Garden. Below is the Maryland vs. UConn prediction and game preview.
Maryland vs. UConn Game Preview
Game Broadcast
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Game Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
Network: ESPN
Why You Need To Care
No. 6 Maryland is 7-1 after North Carolina handed the Terrapins their first loss of the season last week. Marcus Paige made his season debut with 20 points and five assists to ruin a wonderful effort by Melo Trimble, who finished with 23 points and 12 assists.
Maryland responded with a 96-55 win against St. Francis (PA) on Friday.
UConn is also coming off of a win against Sacred Heart 82-49, but that was only after the Huskies lost back-to-back games to Syracuse and Gonzaga.
Head coach Kevin Ollie will preach the importance of playing hard for 40 minutes in order to take down the Terps.
Why Maryland Will Win
Melo Trimble is the truth. Don’t forget that. He hasn’t disappointed yet this season — even in the loss to UNC. Trimble is putting up 14.4 points and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 51.4 percent from the field. He and Rasheed Sulaimon have formed one of the best shooting backcourts in the country. That duo will need to attack UConn on all levels. Trimble will drive and kick, and Sulaimon will be there — along with Jake Layman — to knock down some spot-up threes. The Terps will just need to keep the Huskies off the boards and choose their shots wisely.
Why UConn Will Win
The Huskies do know a thing or two about swatting shots. They’ve blocked the 17th-most shots in the country (46), and if they close out and force Layman and Sulaimon to put the ball on the floor, Amida Brimah can then step up and fulfill his shot-blocking duties. Daniel Hamilton (12.6 points and 9.4 rebounds) will need to chase a double-double and deliver some timely buckets for UConn in this one in order to snag a win in MSG.
What’s Going To Happen?
Speak of the Trimble, and he shall appear. Maryland’s star point guard is unmatched in this one. He’ll go off for a double-digit scoring performance and create for his teammates, too. Sulaimon will knock down some big-time threes to distance the Terps from the Huskies. UConn won’t be able to limit Maryland’s spacing and will get beaten from the perimeter. Maryland will win the turnover battle, too, which will play a huge role.
Maryland vs. UConn Prediction
Robert Judin: Maryland 85, UConn 81
Jordan Cornette: UConn 84, Maryland 81
Line: Maryland -1, o/u: 141
