The Big Ten’s coast-to-coast expansion has brought a wave of new matchups in unfamiliar — and oftentimes distant — environments for the league’s 18 teams.
For the second time in four days, Maryland faces a completely new challenge as it travels to face No. 9 Oregon on Sunday in Eugene.
In the teams’ first-ever meeting, the Terrapins (11-3, 1-2) and the Ducks (12-2, 1-2) will try to atone for ugly losses to unaccustomed Big Ten foes on Thursday night.
Oregon took the hardest fall as No. 22 Illinois rained a deluge of 3-pointers in a 109-77 romp. It was the most points the Ducks have ever allowed in a home game.
In Maryland’s first game ever against Washington, the Terrapins fell 75-69 as its top two scorers, Derik Queen and Ja’Kobi Gillespie, combined for five points on 1-of-13 shooting.
Queen and Gillespie also collected more fouls (nine) and turnovers (five) than they did rebounds (one) and assists (two).
It was a season-low in scoring for a Maryland team that entered its West Coast trip averaging 87.2 points per game.
Against the Huskies, the Terrapins did little to quicken the game’s halfcourt pace as they had zero fastbreak points. Their ball movement also was lacking as they recorded just seven assists on 26 made baskets.
“You have to go through it on the road,” Maryland coach Kevin Willard said. “You got to reward yourself for playing good defense and forcing bad shots and we haven’t done that yet.”
It was the Terrapins’ second road loss this season in the Big Ten and sixth in their last seven conference games away from home.
Last month, in an 83-78 loss at then-No. 8 Purdue, Queen, a freshman, and Gillespie, a transfer from Belmont, excelled despite their inexperience, combining for 44 points.
One of the positives for Maryland on Thursday was the play of veteran Julian Reese, who made 9-of-12 shots, delivering 22 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.
There were few pluses for Oregon in its loss to Illinois in which it surrendered 16-of-29 marksmanship (55.2 percent) from 3-point range.
“I’ve gotten my ass kicked plenty over the years, but we haven’t lost one like that here,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “We were stuck in the mud all night. We didn’t play well. We didn’t play hard. Very disappointed.”
Seven-footer Nate Bittle leads the balanced Ducks in scoring (13.2 points), rebounds (8.2) and blocks (1.8) per game.
Bittle may get more help inside from 6-foot-9 Georgetown transfer Supreme Cook, who was a bright spot in the Illinois loss as he scored his high in an Oregon uniform, 20 points, on 8-of-11 shooting.
“We’re just gonna have to get him on the floor more,” Altman said. “He competed. He was physical.”
Maryland will have to keep tabs on Oregon’s 3-point threats. Keeshawn Barthelemy, Jadrian Tracey and Brandon Angel have combined for 54 treys, with each making at least 41 percent of their attempts from deep.
–Field Level Media
