Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (7-14, 4-13 Big Ten)
Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, Illinois
Tipoff: 9:00 EST, Wednesday, March 3
Last matchup: February 18, 2020 — Maryland 76-67
Last game: Maryland defeated Michigan State 73-55; Northwestern defeated Minnesota 67-59
Line: Maryland -4 per OddsShark
TV: BTN — Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play), Len Elmore (Analyst)
Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Maryland Sports Radio Network (105.7 FM Baltimore, 980 AM D.C., TuneIn Radio App) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Chris Knoche (analyst), Walt Williams (analyst)
What to watch for Maryland: Eric Ayala
Nobody has been more instrumental in Maryland’s longest win streak of the season than Eric Ayala. In the recent five-game stretch, Ayala has averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field, including a 22-point performance in Maryland’s latest victory against Michigan State. In that game, he shot a perfect 13-13 on free throws. As Maryland closes in on the finale of what’s been an incredibly resurgent season, a red-hot Ayala is exactly what the team needs with the Big Ten tournament and March Madness right around the corner.
What to watch for Northwestern: Win a home game in 2021
If it wasn’t for an abysmal Nebraska team, Northwestern would own the worst ranking in the Big Ten at No. 73, per KenPom. Nothing has reflected their ugly season more than their home record, where they have yet to win a game in 2021. Their last home win came on December 26, 2020, against then-No. 23 Ohio State. While Northwestern’s tournament hopes fell apart long ago, the goal for them should be to wrap up their season with a home win in 2021.
