Washington Huskies vs Maryland Terrapins Picks and Predictions January 2nd 2025

Together in Big Ten, Washington and Maryland Meet for First Time

The expanded Big Ten Conference adds a new chapter on Thursday night as Maryland travels to Seattle to face Washington in a historic matchup. This marks the first-ever meeting between the Terrapins and the Huskies, two teams with contrasting styles and big aspirations in their inaugural season as conference rivals.

Maryland’s Journey to the West Coast

Maryland (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) started its conference schedule with an emphatic 83-59 win over Ohio State but stumbled in a tightly contested 83-78 loss to then-No. 8 Purdue. As they take on Washington, the Terrapins aim to continue their high-scoring season, averaging 87.2 points per game – good for 12th nationally.

Key Players for Maryland

• Derik Queen: The standout freshman center leads the Terrapins with 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Queen’s inside presence will be pivotal in this matchup.
• Ja’Kobi Gillespie: A transfer from Belmont, Gillespie is contributing 13.7 points and a team-high 4.5 assists per game.
• Julian Reese: Known for his consistency, Reese averages a double-double with 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Maryland’s trip to the West Coast is not just a single stop; the Terrapins will also face No. 9 Oregon and No. 15 UCLA in a challenging stretch of games. Coach Kevin Willard praised the diverse playing styles of the new Big Ten West Coast members.

“What’s really cool about the four teams we’ve added is that we’ve got four different styles of basketball that our fan base will really enjoy,” Willard said.

Washington’s First Big Ten Test at Home

Washington (9-4, 0-2) opened its Big Ten schedule with losses to UCLA and USC, two longtime rivals from its former Pac-12 days. Thursday’s game against Maryland offers a fresh opportunity for the Huskies to establish themselves in the conference.

Key Players for Washington

• Great Osobor: The forward has been a force for the Huskies, leading the team in points (14.2), rebounds (8.7), assists (3.6), and steals (2.1).
• Keion Brooks Jr.: An experienced scorer who can provide additional firepower for Washington.

Osobor expressed optimism despite the team’s ups and downs:

“It’s why you come to Washington. … As long as we can keep establishing our identity and doing things we want to do, then I think we’ll take it head on and handle these games one game at a time.”

What to Watch For

Maryland’s Offense vs. Washington’s Defense

The Terrapins’ high-powered offense will be tested by the Huskies’ defensive schemes, anchored by Osobor’s versatility. Maryland will need to maintain their efficiency in scoring and rebounding to dictate the pace of the game.

Physicality in the Paint

Both teams boast strong interior players. Queen and Reese for Maryland will clash with Osobor and Washington’s frontcourt, making the battle in the paint a key factor.

Travel Fatigue

After a long flight to the West Coast, Maryland must quickly adapt to the time zone change and environment in Seattle. Washington, with its home-court advantage, will look to exploit any signs of weariness.

Who will claim the title? Find out in College Basketball Championship Odds!

Prediction and Implications

This game not only marks a milestone in Big Ten history but also sets the tone for these two teams as they navigate conference play. For Maryland, a win solidifies their position as a contender in the expanded Big Ten. For Washington, upsetting a ranked team at home could provide a much-needed confidence boost.