Photo Credit: Michigan University Athletics

Two games left, and No. 17 Michigan Men’s Basketball is the only team that can overtake No. 8 Michigan State for the Big Ten regular season title. But first, the Wolverines have to get past No. 13 Maryland at home, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Win, and all the chips are on the table at Michigan State to close out the season. Winner takes all. 

Maryland won’t be a pushover, at least they shouldn’t be. Maryland has one of the best starting lineups in the nation. Derik Queen and Julian Reese form a dynamic duo inside, blocking shots, rebounding and scoring. This will be a good matchup for Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf. Perhaps the difference will be Wolf’s ability to shoot outside. 

Maryland blocks 4.5 shots a game, third in the B1G. Michigan blocks 3.9, good for eighth. Maryland scores 82.1 points per game, third in the B1G. Michigan scores well, too, 79.6 points per game, fifth in the conference. 

On defense, Michigan gives up 71.4 points per game. Maryland is better, giving up 66.9. 

Queen leads Maryland in scoring, at 15.9 points per game (12th B1G), with Reese averaging 9.4 rebounds a game (second B1G). Michigan counters with Goldin’s 16.1 points per game (ninth B1G), and Wolf leads the conference in rebounding (9.7 per game). Give the edge to Michigan. 

Maryland has five scorers ranked in the Big Ten’s top 39. Michigan has five in the top 56. Maybe a slight edge for Maryland. 

Here comes the problem for Michigan. They lead the conference in turnovers, 14.3 per game. It’s been an issue all season, keeping games close that should be blowouts and losing winnable games. Maryland is fourth best at not turning the ball over, at 10.5 per game. 

Michigan, normally good on the boards, 38.0 per game, third in the B1G, was dominated by Illinois in their last game. Illinois grabbed 43 rebounds at Michigan on its way to a 20-point win. Michigan had 32 rebounds. 

Coaching is an advantage for Michigan. Both coaches have solid overall records. Michigan’s Dusty May is 148-76 (.661)  as a head coach. Maryland’s Kevin Willard is 329-247 (.571). May is 4-2 in the NCAA Tournament. Willard is 2-6. 

Altogether, this should be a fairly high-scoring game. The keys to victory for Michigan are to get more rebounds and limit turnovers. Scoring usually comes naturally for the team as a whole. 

Maryland is a very good team, and they have a chance to spoil Michigan’s shot at the Big Ten regular season title. Keys to a Maryland victory are taking good shots and preventing Michigan from going on big runs, two challenges for the team this season. 

Maryland 77 

Michigan 73 

The winner will get premium seeding in the B1G and NCAA Tournaments. The loser will drop in the rankings, but still qualify for both tournaments.