To win the Big Ten Tournament, Maryland basketball needs to avoid these three potential stumbling blocks
Everything has trended upward for Maryland men's basketball lately. But as coach Kevin Willard pointed out during a recent press conference, some trends point to potential…
Everything has trended upward for Maryland men's basketball lately. But as coach Kevin Willard pointed out during a recent press conference, some trends point to potential stumbling blocks Maryland could face this upcoming week at the Big Ten tournament
Maryland's historical struggles in the tournament, fatigue concerns and poor performances after extended breaks raise concerns ahead of the program's most anticipated conference tournament in recent memory
Tourney struggles
Maryland's 5-9 all-time record in the Big Ten tournament is the third-worst mark in the conference. It is one of only four programs that have never appeared in the championship game. The Terps reached the semifinals in 2015 and 2016 but fell to Michigan State in back-to-back years. They've never won multiple games in the conference tournament.
It's one reason for caution as Maryland enters the tourney on Friday in Indianapolis. Other top-seeded teams, Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin, have all thrived at the tournament.
Maryland has a favorable path to a potential Sunday appearance, though. The Terps will likely face Illinois, who they dominated 91-70 in January, in their first-round matchup. Michigan or Purdue would likely await in the semifinals, both of whom finished the season on significant slides.
But if Maryland advances to the championship contest, it will have to play three games in three days. For a team that lacks depth, tired legs could play a factor in a potential Sunday game.
Lack of Depth
If the 'Crab Five' each replicated their season average in minutes, the starting-five would play 488 minutes over three days. Maryland's starters log more minutes than any other team's top lineup, as most of the conference's upper echelon teams boast stronger depth.
The No. 1 seed Spartans play a consistent ten-man rotation, Wisconsin has eight options, and UCLA is filled with talented backups. In a tournament scenario, when you're playing on back-to-back days, that can be a huge factor.
Jordan Geronino has looked particularly impressive in recent games, though, which gives Willard a reliable backup forward. The senior logged 15 or more minutes against Michigan and Northwestern, scoring four points in each game.
"Whether I play two minutes or 20 minutes, every time I get out there, I tell myself 'Once I step in between those four lines I'm supposed to play hard and that's my identity,'" Geronimo said.
Troubles after 'bye' weeks
Willard replied to a reporter midway through his question about Maryland's struggles after extended breaks, admitting that his team has "not been good coming off byes".
"I was going to go have a beer, but now I'm going to switch to whiskey," Willard said.
He's right. Maryland is 4-3 after four days off, dropping games to Washington, Ohio State and Michigan State. One of those wins was also a poor offensive showing against Maryland Eastern Shore.
Willard will give his players a day and a half off from basketball activities. The Terps will likely fly to Indianapolis in the middle of the week.
"We haven't had the best record coming off a long streak of off days, but we're aware of it. We're going to plan accordingly," Geronimo said.
Avoiding slow starts is critical to Maryland's postseason success. And with just one win this weekend, they can have their best finish at the tournament in nearly a decade.
