The Maryland Terrapins are set to host the Georgetown Hoyas in a college basketball matchup this Friday at 6 p.m. EST. Both teams are coming off wins in their season openers—Maryland beat Coppin State 83-61, while Georgetown also secured a victory.
It’s shaping up to be a fun one. Both squads are looking to keep that early momentum rolling.
Maryland Terrapins: A Strong Start to the Season
Maryland started their season with a dominant win over Coppin State. Pharrel Payne led the way, dropping 21 points.
The Terrapins showed off both their offense and defense in that opener. Last season, they went 27-9 overall and were nearly unbeatable at home with a 17-2 record.
Defensively, they allowed just 67.2 points per game and averaged 15.6 fouls. That’s not bad at all for a team trying to set the tone early in the year.
Key Players to Watch
Pharrel Payne is the guy to keep an eye on for Maryland. His 21-point outburst in the opener says plenty about his impact.
Maryland’s experienced roster will also be counted on to keep their defense steady, especially at home.
Georgetown Hoyas: Looking to Build Momentum
Georgetown opened their season with a win too. They’ll try to build off that as they head into College Park.
Last year, the Hoyas finished 18-16 overall but had a tough time on the road, going just 3-9. Their defense was a bright spot, averaging 7.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per game.
Defensive Strengths
Georgetown’s knack for forcing turnovers and protecting the rim could be a big factor. Those 7.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per game from last season show they’re not shy about getting after it defensively.
They’ll need that same energy to slow down Maryland’s attack.
Game Analysis
Maryland’s offense is going to test Georgetown’s defense, no doubt. The Terrapins are currently 7.5-point favorites, according to BETMGM, with the over/under at 146.5 points.
Keys to Victory for Maryland
- Offensive Efficiency: Maryland needs to keep the ball moving and take good shots. Hitting a high percentage would make their life a lot easier.
- Defensive Discipline: Staying out of foul trouble and sticking to their defensive plan will matter, especially against a team that likes to force mistakes.
- Home Court Advantage: Playing at home is always a boost, and Maryland’s record in their own building speaks for itself.
Keys to Victory for Georgetown
- Defensive Pressure: The Hoyas have to bring intensity, force turnovers, and make things tough around the rim.
- Road Resilience: If they want to win, they’ll need to shake off last year’s road struggles and stay focused when things get tough.
- Balanced Scoring: Georgetown can’t rely on just one guy. They’ll need points from several players to keep up with Maryland.
Conclusion
The Maryland Terrapins and Georgetown Hoyas are about to face off, and honestly, it should be a fun one. Both squads are coming off season-opening wins, so the energy’s bound to be high.
Maryland’s offense has been clicking, especially at home, which gives them a bit of an edge. Still, Georgetown’s known for tough defense, so don’t count them out just yet.
If you’re after more details or want to follow along, here’s the full scoop on Fox Sports.
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