College Basketball

Maryland Basketball: Three keys to victory against Illinois

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:23 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Chris Bengel/FanSided via Terrapin Station

The Maryland basketball team is ready to begin Big Ten play after a week off for the holidays.

After dispatching of Charlotte in their nonconference finale, the Terrapins will host Illinois in their first conference game of the 2016-17 season.

Maryland has jumped out to a 12-1 record with their only blemish being a loss against Pittsburgh in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Terps have wins over Georgetown, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State during those first 13 games.

Star guard Melo Trimble has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. The junior is averaging a career-high 17.9 points and is getting to the free throw line much more than he did as a sophomore.

Coach Mark Turgeon has also gotten significant contributions from his talented trio of freshmen.

Forward Justin Jackson has been about as big of an addition as you’ll see in the Big Ten. Jackson was a late signee after decommitting from UNLV after coach Dave Rice was fired.

Jackson currently leads the team in rebounds (6.0) and is second on the team in points (10.8). The East York, Ontario native has offered a tremendous amount of length and production in the frontcourt for a group that desperately needs it.

Guard Anthony Cowan has taken some of the pressure off of Trimble. Cowan has been the team’s primary ball-handler a good chunk of the time, which has allowed Trimble to be more of a scorer.

Cowan is averaging 10.6 points and also leads the Terps in assists (3.8).

Three Keys to Victory

Next: Terps sputter in Quick Lane Bowl

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