Maryland Terrapins vs Marquette Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions November 15th 2024

No. 15 Marquette Heads to Maryland, Seeks to Find 3-Point Groove

No. 15 Marquette is set for a challenging road test as they face Maryland on Friday night in College Park, Maryland. The Golden Eagles are looking to shake off early struggles from beyond the arc, while the Terrapins aim to keep their dominant start to the season rolling.

Marquette Searching for 3-Point Rhythm

Under head coach Shaka Smart, Marquette (3-0) has been known for its sharpshooting prowess, especially from 3-point range. However, this season has seen the Golden Eagles stumble a bit from deep. Marquette shot just 10-for-36 from downtown in their recent 70-62 win over Central Michigan and is connecting on only 29.4% of its 3-point attempts through three games.

“Those are shots that our guys make in practice, our guys will make in games,” Smart said. “I’m sure people will say, ‘Well, why do you shoot them if they’re not making them?’ We believe in those guys.”

What concerns Smart more is the team’s lack of offensive rebounds after missed shots. Marquette grabbed only six offensive boards against Central Michigan, a number Smart deemed unacceptable given the high volume of missed 3-pointers.

“I think as a team, we have a lot of maturing to do from the standpoint of … having a willingness to win ugly,” Smart noted. “We also need to understand how to step on the other team’s throat when we have a lead.”

Kam Jones has been the offensive catalyst for Marquette, averaging a team-high 22.7 points per game. However, he was limited to 12 points in the win over Central Michigan, with Stevie Mitchell stepping up to lead the team with 17 points.

Terrapins’ High-Powered Offense

Maryland (3-0) has cruised through the early part of its schedule, winning each of its first three games by at least 30 points. The Terrapins most recently dominated Florida A&M 84-53, led by a standout performance from Julian Reese, who posted 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Terrapins showcased their depth in that game, with five players scoring in double figures. Selton Miguel added 14 points, Ja’Kobi Gillespie contributed 12, while Derik Queen and Rodney Rice chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“I feel like it’s helping us build trust in each other,” Reese said. “We have a versatile team where anybody can have a good night. We just keep doing that, and we’re going to be good.”

Rodney Rice has been Maryland’s leading scorer, averaging 16.7 points per game, with Gillespie and Queen each contributing 13.7 points per contest.

Key Matchup: Kam Jones vs. Maryland’s Defense

Marquette’s offensive success largely hinges on Kam Jones’ ability to find his rhythm. He’ll face a tough challenge against a Maryland team that has been stifling opponents. The Golden Eagles will need Jones to regain his shooting touch if they hope to keep up with Maryland’s balanced scoring attack.

Bet Smarter with Free College Hoops Picks! View free college basketball picks and make confident choices.

What to Watch For

• For Marquette: Can they improve their 3-point shooting against a Maryland defense that has been solid through three games? Offensive rebounds will also be crucial if Marquette continues to struggle from deep.
• For Maryland: The Terrapins will look to continue their balanced scoring approach and see if they can disrupt Marquette’s offense, particularly Jones and Mitchell.

Historical Context

The last time these two programs met was on December 1, 2019, when Maryland secured an 84-63 victory over Marquette. The Golden Eagles will be looking to flip the script this time around, while Maryland aims to maintain its early-season dominance.

Tip-off is set for Friday night at the XFINITY Center in College Park, where Marquette will attempt to rekindle its shooting touch and Maryland will seek to extend its winning streak to four games.