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NCAA Tournament 2016: Keys to victory against Hawaii

By Chris Bengel

March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Jake Layman (10) moves to the basket against South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Keaton Moffitt (12) during the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sport
March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Jake Layman (10) moves to the basket against South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Keaton Moffitt (12) during the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sport /
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The Maryland basketball team began their 2016 NCAA Tournament run against a scrappy South Dakota State squad.

The Jackrabbits gave the Terrapins all they could handle, despite Maryland leading by double digits at the half. It took a heroic effort from senior forward Jake Layman to finish the job and propel Maryland to the Second Round.

With the Terps in the Round of 32 on Sunday, an unexpected opponent has come calling.

No. 13 seed Hawaii is Maryland opponent after the Rainbow Warriors knocked off No. 4 seed California on Friday. Guard Quincy Smith (19 points) and forward Stefan Jankovic (16) led Hawaii to a very impressive over the talented Golden Bears.

Here’s three keys to Sunday evening’s game between Hawaii and Maryland.

  • Layman’s production – Layman had a career game against South Dakota State with 27 points. He continues to be the x-factor for Maryland and is shooting the ball at a very high rate. Over the last five games, Layman has hit 18-of-31 shots (58 percent) from beyond the arc. Against the Jackrabbits, Layman hit five of his eight three-point attempts, which has become a huge part of his game and Maryland’s as a whole as of late. Layman is so dangerous because of his shooting ability and being able to put it on the deck and get to the rim. If Maryland wants to advance to the Sweet 16, Layman will have to do more of that on Sunday evening.

    • Slow down Jankovic

    – Maryland’s bigs will certainly have their hands full on Sunday against Hawaii. Jankovic, who stands 6’11, is a force on the interior, but like many of Maryland’s frontcourt, he can stretch the floor like few can. Jankovic is Hawaii’s leading scorer with 15.7 points-per-game and also hauls in 6.6 rebounds-per-game, which doesn’t seem like a tall task with a frame like he has. Jankovic shoots 38.5 percent from beyond the three-point line. While he doesn’t step out there a ton, the fact that he can hit a shot from that range will keep Maryland on their toes in both the low and high post.

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  • Rebound the ball – One of Maryland’s biggest issues down the stretch has been their ability to effectively rebound the basketball. The Terps barely outrebounded the Jackrabbits 29-28 on Friday and the Rainbow Warriors can get after it on the glass. Hawaii averages 37 boards per contest and with a guy like Jankovic down low, it’ll be a fight to box him out. Two of Hawaii’s guards average at least four rebounds in Roderick Bobbitt and Aaron Valdes. While Maryland can get it after it on the glass when they want to, the Terps will have to play with energy and fire through all 40 minutes if they want to extend their season.