Maryland Terrapins vs Northwestern Wilcats Picks and Predictions March 8th 2025

No. 13 Maryland Meets Northwestern, Aims to Continue Ascent

The low point of Maryland’s season came on Jan. 16 in an overtime loss at Northwestern, fueling concerns that the Terrapins couldn’t win on the road in the Big Ten.

Nearly two months later, No. 13 Maryland (23-7, 13-6 Big Ten) has completely turned its season around, winning six of its last seven games and becoming one of the most dangerous teams in the conference.

Now, the Terrapins host Northwestern (16-14, 7-12 Big Ten) on Saturday in College Park, looking to avenge that early-season loss and secure a top-four finish in the Big Ten standings, which would earn them a double-bye in next week’s conference tournament.

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Maryland’s Road to Redemption

Maryland’s improvement has been dramatic, especially on the road.

After starting Big Ten play 0-4 away from home, the Terrapins have won five of their last six road games, including a 71-65 victory at No. 17 Michigan on Wednesday.

Head coach Kevin Willard credited the team’s resilience in overcoming early struggles.

“More than anything, I’m just so proud of that group of guys because it could have been easy to let all the negativity, let all that talk, deter them,” Willard said.

The Rise of Derik Queen and the “Crab Five”

Much of Maryland’s success has been tied to freshman sensation Derik Queen.

The 6-foot-10 forward has emerged as a potential NBA lottery pick, averaging 19.1 points and 12 rebounds per game over the last seven contests.

Queen has refined his game, using his ball-handling and passing ability to create offense, rather than settling for jumpers.

“He has better ball-handling skills than most guards,” Willard said. “He’s like a 15-year vet in the fact that he knows and understands the game.”

Alongside Queen, Selton Miguel has stepped up as a deadly shooter, hitting 45.4% from 3-point range over the last seven games while scoring 17 points in five of Maryland’s six wins during that stretch.

The starting lineup, dubbed the “Crab Five,” has built strong chemistry, playing with poise and control down the stretch of games—something the Terrapins lacked early in the season.

Northwestern Battling Despite Key Injuries

While Maryland is peaking at the right time, Northwestern has been forced to adapt after losing two of its top scorers.

Brooks Barnhizer (foot) and Jalen Leach (knee) are both out for the season, leaving a depleted Wildcats squad that has still managed to compete every night.

On Monday, Northwestern fell just short in a 73-69 loss to UCLA, despite 22 points and seven rebounds from Ty Berry and 20 points from Nick Martinelli.

Northwestern coach Chris Collins has been impressed with his team’s fight through adversity.

“Our guys are fighters,” Collins said. “We haven’t been able to win a lot of the close games, but we’re also showing up every night. We’re competing, which to me is a positive, especially being undermanned.”

Northwestern’s Recent Dominance Over Maryland

Despite Maryland’s recent surge, Northwestern has won the last three meetings in the series.

That includes a 76-74 overtime victory in January, when Martinelli hit a buzzer-beater to stun the Terrapins.

However, Maryland still leads the all-time series 12-7 and will have extra motivation on Senior Day.

Senior Day Spotlight: Julian Reese

Saturday will mark Senior Day for Julian Reese, who has been a foundational player for Maryland over the last four years.

The 6-foot-9 forward averages 13.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game and has been a stabilizing presence through coaching changes and roster turnover.

“Saturday for me is going to be about Julian Reese,” Willard said. “He’s a rarity in college basketball. He stayed four years. Had a coaching change, stayed with me. We had a tough year last year, (but) he stayed with me. He’s a true Maryland guy.”

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What’s at Stake?

For Maryland, this game is about securing a top-four Big Ten finish and earning a double-bye in the conference tournament.

For Northwestern, it’s a chance to play spoiler and continue battling despite their injuries.

With the Terrapins hitting their stride and Northwestern proving to be a tough out, expect an intense battle in College Park as Maryland looks to continue its climb in the Big Ten standings.