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Maryland Basketball: Niswander’s Notes for Maryland/Ohio State

By John Niswander

Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers head coach Richard Pitino reacts to a call in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers head coach Richard Pitino reacts to a call in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland basketball team prevailed on the road yet again this season as they downed Ohio State 77-71 on Tuesday evening.

The Terps improved currently sit at 20-2 (8-1) through nine games of conference play. Maryland’s trio of freshmen have been huge as of late and are really leading the way.

Let’s look back at some key plays and notes from the latest Terps victory.

  1. Justin Jackson finishes with double-double

Jackson posted a double-double for the second game in a row, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He became the first Terp to record consecutive double-doubles since Jordan Williams accomplished the feat back in 2010.

Jackson continued his hot shooting stroke from deep finishing 4-of-7 beyond the arc after finishing 5-of-5 from deep the previous game at Minnesota. Jackson is shooting a team leading 45 percent from deep.

He has become a reliable scoring option with his ability to catch and shoot from the perimeter, as well as put the ball on the deck and create looks around the rim and inside to finish. Jackson provides much more athleticism and quickness at the power forward position than Robert Carter Jr. from last year’s team.

  1. Jared Nickens getting back to basics

If anyone has been an avid and loyal follower of my articles surrounding Maryland basketball throughout this year, you may recall that I have bashed Nickens earlier in the season for his struggles.

However, Nickens has found his shooting form in conference play when it matters most.

In his last four games, Nickens has made at least one three-pointer in each, and collectively has shot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. With the score tied at 31 in the first half, Nickens stepped into a three-pointer, got fouled, and converted at the line to convert a four-point play and give the Terps a 35-31 lead.

Nickens’ greatest asset is his ability to catch and shoot the deep ball. With Nickens getting back to executing the basics of what he is good at, he is providing the Terps with offense off the bench.

One or two buckets from Nickens a game is all the Terps need as the starters get a rest.

  1. Melo Trimble’s leadership

Trimble struggled early versus the Buckeyes, missing his first five attempts from deep.

With the Terps clinging to a one-point lead with just over two minutes remaining, Trimble was able to put his early game struggles shooting the ball behind him and nail a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead to four.

Trimble’s ability to make the clutch shots is a sign of a star player, who knows how to find ways to help his team win.

  1. Damonte Dodd’s late game block leads to Kevin Huerter dunk

With Ohio State trailing by one with just about three minutes to play, the Buckeyes had a possession to take the lead late on Maryland.

Damonte Dodd was able to slide over and provide a help defense block that preserved the slim lead for the Terps. After the block, Jackson was able to look up court and see Huerter sprinting ahead of everyone and provided the pass that spurred Huerter for a dunk down at the other end.

This play was deflating for the Buckeyes’ comeback attempts, and was yet another example of how the Terps are making crucial plays late in games to win these close battles.

Next: Three storylines to follow on National Signing Day

Maryland will face its toughest conference opponent yet this season as the Terps host No. 23 Purdue Saturday at noon for the team’s only meeting with the Boilermakers.