Maryland Men’s Basketball Prepares for Clash Against Wagner
Maryland Men’s Basketball is gearing up for an important matchup against Wagner on Tuesday, after a challenging week in Las Vegas. The Terps faced tough competition, including No. 8 Alabama and No. 12 Gonzaga, losing both games by a total of 72 points. These encounters provided valuable insight into the team’s abilities, giving head coach Buzz Williams a clearer understanding of their weaknesses before conference play.
Upcoming Game Details
- Opponent: Wagner Seahawks
- Date: Tuesday
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Wagner has had a rocky start this season, holding a record of 1-5. Their only victory came in a thrilling 103-101 overtime win against Manhattan. The Seahawks also faced notable teams like Georgetown and UMBC, scoring 72 points against Georgetown but conceding 92. They narrowly lost 71-70 to UMBC in overtime.
Wagner Seahawks Overview
Head coach Donald Copeland enters his fourth year with Wagner. Under his leadership, the team achieved its first NCAA Tournament win in 2024 after clinching the NEC Tournament title. However, last season did not meet expectations, and this year’s start has also been underwhelming.
Key Players to Watch
- Nick Jones (Junior Guard, No. 0, 6’2″)
- Leads the team with 16.7 points per game.
- Shoots at 47.1% and holds the highest steals count (12).
- Eddie Placer (Junior Guard, No. 7, 6’5″)
- Second-highest scorer with 11.2 points per game.
- Impressive 3-point shooter with 48.1% accuracy on 27 attempts.
- Jaden Baker (Redshirt Senior Guard, No. 9, 6’2″)
- Leads the team with 20 assists.
- Third in scoring with 9.5 points per game but has struggled shooting at 36.4%.
Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Wagner excels in 3-point shooting, leading the NEC with a rate of 41.3%. However, the team has struggled with ball control, posting the second-worst turnover margin in the conference at -4.33, averaging 15 turnovers per game.
Maryland’s Strategy
As the Terps face Wagner, they will look to exploit their interior strength, particularly through player Pharrel Payne. The Seahawks’ reliance on their backcourt may highlight Maryland’s advantages inside the paint.
Additionally, Myles Rice, a transfer guard, aims for a strong performance after a frustrating outing against Alabama, where he was scoreless. Meanwhile, Guillermo Del Pino and Aleks Alston showed promise in previous games, and their continued development could be crucial for the Terps’ success.
As Maryland prepares for this matchup, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds after their Las Vegas experience against Wagner.
