Purdue Boilermakers vs Maryland Terrapins Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

No. 8 Purdue Keeps Guard Up Ahead of Clash vs. Maryland

Purdue looks to rebound from a disappointing Big Ten opener when it hosts a surging Maryland team on Sunday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.

Maryland’s Offensive Resurgence

Maryland (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) enters the matchup riding a five-game winning streak, including an emphatic 83-59 victory over Ohio State in its conference opener. The Terrapins dominated the first half, building a commanding 50-17 lead and extending the margin to 40 points early in the second half.

“Come out and make a statement,” Maryland forward Tafara Gapare said of the team’s mindset. “Tell people who we are and what we’re doing this season.”

Maryland’s offense has been a revelation this season. After averaging 72.2 points per game last year, the Terrapins have increased that to 86.8 during non-conference play this season. Wednesday’s 83-point performance exceeded their highest-scoring game in Big Ten play last season.

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Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Maryland with 23 points and knocked down four 3-pointers against Ohio State. The transfer from Belmont averages 13.7 points per game, second only to freshman Derik Queen (16.6).

Gapare, a reserve forward, has emerged as an efficient scoring option, shooting 69.6 percent (16-of-23) over the past three games after limited involvement earlier in the season.

Purdue’s Struggles in Big Ten Opener

Purdue (7-2, 0-1 Big Ten) is coming off an 81-70 loss at Penn State on Thursday, a game defined by the Boilermakers’ 24 turnovers, their highest total since 2019. The miscues led to 32 points for the Nittany Lions, and coach Matt Painter was blunt in his postgame assessment.

“We just have to have a better concentration and a better toughness about us,” Painter said.

Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer led Purdue with 15 points apiece, while Braden Smith, who averages 12.0 points per game, was held to six.

Painter criticized his team’s lack of fight and focus, saying, “If we were on the front line of a war, we’d all be dead. Our fight wasn’t even close to Penn State’s fight.”

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What’s at Stake

• Purdue: After strong non-conference wins over then-No. 2 Alabama and then-No. 23 Ole Miss, the Boilermakers need to show resilience in Big Ten play. A win would help steady the ship after their turnover-plagued performance at Penn State.
• Maryland: The Terrapins aim to solidify their place as one of the conference’s most dangerous teams. A win over a top-10 opponent would further validate their offensive transformation.

Key Matchups

• Trey Kaufman-Renn vs. Derik Queen: Purdue’s leading scorer will be tasked with outdueling Maryland’s standout freshman, who has been a consistent force for the Terrapins.
• Purdue’s Guards vs. Maryland’s Defense: After committing 24 turnovers in their last game, Purdue’s backcourt must handle the pressure against a Maryland team playing with high confidence.

Outlook

Maryland brings a revitalized offense to Mackey Arena, but Purdue will look to impose its will at home. If the Boilermakers can clean up their turnovers and play with the intensity Painter demands, they have a strong chance to hand the Terrapins their first Big Ten loss. For Maryland, this game is an opportunity to prove that its offensive surge can hold up against one of the conference’s perennial powerhouses.