Terps cap unlikely transformation into Big Ten road warriors, control No. 17 Michigan in 71-65 win
It was Maryland's third straight Big Ten road win, a streak that could be seven if not for buzzer-beaters at Northwestern and Ohio State. The Terps (23-7 overall, 13-6 Big Ten) also stayed apace in the chase for a top four Big Ten finish and the valuable conference tournament double-bye that comes with it.
Selton Miguel has never played in the NCAA Tournament, nor competed for a conference championship. But he's on his best team and playing the best basketball of his career. Miguel led Maryland to a critical road win at Michigan, 71-65, on Wednesday night.
It was Maryland's third straight Big Ten road win, a streak that could be seven if not for buzzer-beaters at Northwestern and Ohio State. The Terps (23-7 overall, 13-6 Big Ten) also stayed apace in the chase for a top four Big Ten finish and the valuable conference tournament double-bye that comes with it.
After an ugly start to the season in road play, Maryland has become a force away from College Park. The Terps led for most of the night nd were barely threatened during the second half despite going without a field goal for the final six minutes.
"There was so much talk early," Willard said. "To start 0-4 on the road… they showed the grit to go on the road and win a tough game and come here and win a tough game. These kids deserve a lot of credit."
Miguel scored 17 points, coupled with his wing partner Rodney Rice's team-leading 19 points and Derik Queen's 17 points and 12 rebounds. When Miguel plays well, the Terps typically win. Maryland is 20-2 this season when Miguel scores in double figures, but 3-5 when he scores 10 or less.
It was a slugfest through the first 10 minutes. Maryland was 2-14 from the field through ten minutes, a dangerous recipe against a potent Michigan offense. Miguel's shooting can solve offensive lulls, though. The senior scored 13 first-half points, including three triples to push the Terps ahead by 11 points at halftime. The USF transfer has been one of the best outside shooters in the Big Ten. He's shooting 43% from deep in conference play and made multiple tough shots against the Wolverines.
Miguel even hit a double-pump 3-pointer from the left corner with under a minute remaining in the first half. When he's hot, he can change the course of a game with his scoring. For everyone accept Reese, they're entering a new phase, playing on the big stage for a top 15 team as the postseason nears.
"So many of these guys are going through this for the first time – the pressure, the ranking, people talking about double-byes and NCAA tournament," Willard said.
When Maryland's other players struggled, Miguel carried the Terps' offense. Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Julian Reese combined for 14 points on 4-for-18 shooting,
It was the first game all season that the point guard and both have both scored in single digits, yet Maryland was in control all night on the road against the No. 17 team.
Miguel remained poised despite the strong first half. He made multiple extra passes, including an assist to Rice for a second-half 3-pointer. The Wolverines drew within five points at the under-eight timeout. But Rice, after struggling against Penn State, made multiple clutch shots. The Virginia Tech transfer scored 19 points and made 4-9 triples.
"I thought Rodney had a great second half," Willard said.
Michigan's excelled in close contests, its past nine victories coming by four or less points. On the other hand, the Terps seven losses this year have come by an average of 3.9 points (27 total points).
Maryland's also 1-7 at Crisler Center and hadn't won there since 2016. The game had the makings of a Wolverines comeback win. But the Terps' held on with strong free-throw shooting and defense and picked up a critical road win. Maryland can clinch a top four seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a win against Northwestern on Saturday and could rise as high as No. 2.
