Ohio State Buckeyes Fall to Pitt, Maryland Poised for Big Ten Success
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins: Buckeyes Stumble, Terps Eye Big Ten Bounce-Back
In what has been a rollercoaster start to the 2024 college basketball season, both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins are looking to regroup after challenging stretches. Ohio State, fresh off a heartbreaking overtime loss to Pitt, heads to College Park, MD, to face the Maryland Terrapins in a crucial Big Ten clash. The Buckeyes will look to recover from back-to-back losses, while the Terps aim to build on a promising start under coach Kevin Willard.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Overcoming Early Setbacks
Ohio State (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) entered the 2024 season with high expectations, but a recent setback has left the Buckeyes in need of a confidence boost. On Friday, Ohio State fell 91-90 in overtime to the Pitt Panthers, followed by a tough 13-10 loss to their archrivals, the Michigan Wolverines, over the weekend. Despite a solid offensive outing—shooting 51.7% from the field and 55% (11-20) from three-point range—Ohio State’s defense faltered, particularly in key moments. A game-winning three-pointer by Zack Austin with just 0.4 seconds left handed the Panthers the victory, making it a bitter pill for the Buckeyes.
While the loss to Pitt was disheartening, Bruce Thornton (24 points, 9 assists) delivered a standout performance for the Buckeyes, providing much-needed scoring in the absence of key bench contributors. With injuries to Aaron Bradshaw, Ques Glover, and Collin White, Ohio State’s depth is being tested, especially with Bradshaw potentially missing Wednesday’s game against Maryland.
Despite these challenges, Ohio State remains a strong team on paper. Thornton leads the team with 16.4 points per game and 6.4 assists, shooting a remarkable 54.8% from the field and 53.6% from three-point range. Freshman sharpshooter John Mobley Jr.—nicknamed “the Sniper”—has added 14 points per game, shooting a blistering 56.8% from beyond the arc.
On the defensive end, Ohio State is strong, ranking 7th in the nation in field goal defense (allowing just 35.8% shooting) and 14th in three-point defense (26.1%). However, they will need to tighten up in key situations to prevent late-game collapses like the one against Pitt. Despite these weaknesses, they have been one of the most efficient teams offensively, ranking 16th in offensive rating and 10th in field goal percentage (51.3%).
Maryland Terrapins: Poised for a Strong Big Ten Run
Maryland (7-1 SU, 4-4 ATS) has looked like a different team this season, and much of that can be attributed to coach Kevin Willard’s success in rebuilding the program. After finishing 16-17 overall and 7-13 in Big Ten play last season, Maryland has already shown signs of significant improvement. A key part of that success has been the arrival of Derik Queen, the five-star recruit from the class of 2024, who has made an immediate impact in the paint.
After a 78-74 loss to Marquette in a tough early-season test on Nov. 15, the Terrapins bounced back with a 76-75 win over Villanova on Nov. 24 in a neutral-site thriller. Since then, they’ve handled Bucknell (91-67) and Alcorn State (96-58) with ease, showcasing their depth and scoring ability. In their most recent win against Alcorn State, Queen led the way with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while four other players scored in double figures.
The strength of Maryland’s squad this season lies in their balanced offensive attack. Queen, who leads the team with 16.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, has lived up to the hype. Alongside him, Julian Reese (13.4 points, 8.5 rebounds) has been a reliable force in the paint. But it’s the Terps’ perimeter game that has truly been elevated this season. Rodney Rice, a transfer from Virginia Tech, is averaging 12.6 points per game while shooting 40% from three, and Ja’Kobi Gillespie, a transfer from Belmont, has added 12.5 points and 3 assists per game, along with a 37.5% clip from beyond the arc. This improved guard play has given Maryland a more dynamic offensive arsenal that was missing last season when the Terps shot just 28.9% from three-point range.
Defensively, Maryland has also made strides. They rank 13th in the nation in defensive field goal percentage, allowing just 39.7% shooting from opponents. Their length and size inside have helped them dominate the glass, and their improved perimeter defense will be crucial as they face Ohio State’s potent shooters.
Conclusion
After a difficult weekend, Ohio State has the opportunity to reset and prove they can compete at a high level in the Big Ten. However, they’ll need to do it against a Maryland team that is much improved this season. With Derik Queen leading the charge and an upgraded backcourt, the Terrapins are ready to challenge the Big Ten’s elite teams.
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