The University of Maryland-College Park Terrapins will face a daunting task on February 25 when they travel to the Pinnacle Bank Arena to take on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers. With the Cornhuskers boasting a 23-4 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the Big Ten, they are heavily favored to come out on top. Meanwhile, the Terrapins, at 11-16 overall and 4-12 in conference play, are looking to pull off a significant upset. This game matters for Nebraska as they continue to solidify their position as a top team in the conference, while for Maryland, it represents an opportunity to build momentum heading into the Big Ten tournament, their only viable path to postseason play.
As the Terrapins prepare to face the high-powered Cornhuskers, they will need to draw on their recent form, which has seen them go 3-2 over their last five games, including a notable win over Washington. To have any chance of upsetting the Cornhuskers, Maryland will need to capitalize on any vulnerabilities they can exploit, such as Nebraska's occasional lapses in defensive focus. For the Cornhuskers, this game is a chance to further demonstrate their dominance and make a statement ahead of the conference tournament. Despite their strong record, Nebraska still has work to do to prove themselves as a consistent force, and a convincing win over Maryland would be a step in the right direction.
Averaging 17.5 points per game, Pharrel Payne has been the team's leading scorer, while his 7.2 rebounds per game have made him a crucial presence in the paint. With a record of 11-16, including 4-12 in the Big Ten, Maryland is looking to turn their season around, having won two of their last five games, including a 64-60 victory over Washington and a 77-70 win over Iowa. His 45% field goal shooting has been a key factor in the team's offense, which has also been bolstered by 's 14.4 points per game and 2.8 assists per game.
The team's recent form has been marked by inconsistency, with losses to Northwestern and Rutgers in their last five games, but 's 9.6 rebounds per game have provided a steady presence on the glass. and have also been key contributors, with Adams averaging 11.3 points per game and Mills adding 11.3 points per game of his own, along with 3.9 rebounds per game. As Maryland heads into their game against Nebraska, they will be looking to build on their recent wins and improve their 2-10 record against Quad 1 opponents, with Pharrel Payne, David Coit, Darius Adams, Andre Mills, and Solomon Washington all playing important roles in their team's success.
Averaging 13.8 points per game, the team's leading scorer is supported by a well-rounded cast, with 's 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game making him a vital component. His 45% three-point shooting is complemented by 's 17.9 points per game, as the duo forms a potent one-two punch. With a 23-4 record, Nebraska has demonstrated its ability to win against a variety of opponents, including a 6-4 mark against Quad 1 teams.
The team's recent form has been marked by decisive victories, including an 87-64 win over Penn State, with and contributing to the balanced attack, and 's 4.6 assists per game helping to facilitate the offense. His 9.5 points per game are a testament to the depth of the roster, which has also seen Jamarques Lawrence average 3.8 assists per game, while Pryce Sandfort's 4.6 rebounds per game have been crucial in supporting Rienk Mast's work on the glass. With a strong 12-4 record in conference play, Nebraska will look to continue its winning ways against Maryland.
The matchup between Maryland's Pharrel Payne and Nebraska's Rienk Mast will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. As two of the most dominant big men in the conference, their head-to-head battle will likely dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game. Payne's ability to score and rebound will be tested by Mast's well-rounded skillset, which includes scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. If Mast can contain Payne and limit his scoring opportunities, Nebraska will be well-positioned to control the paint and dictate the flow of the game.
Mast's advantage in assists could also prove crucial, as he may be able to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities for the Cornhuskers. Conversely, if Payne can assert his dominance and outmuscle Mast in the paint, Maryland may be able to establish a strong interior presence and feed off his production. The outcome of this individual matchup will have a significant impact on the team's overall performance, making it the most critical aspect of the game to watch.
CHD Scout Prediction
Maryland
62
Nebraska
85
The model's prediction of a 23-point Nebraska victory, with an accompanying 96.1% win probability, aligns with my own assessment of the matchup. I agree that Nebraska will emerge victorious, and for a specific reason: the significant disparity in team quality, as reflected in their respective NET rankings. Maryland's ranking of 142, in contrast to Nebraska's 11, suggests a substantial gap in overall performance, which I expect to manifest in a decisive Cornhuskers win, consistent with the model's forecast of an 85-62 Nebraska triumph.
As the season enters its final stretch, this matchup holds varying levels of significance for each team's postseason aspirations. For Nebraska, a win would be a Quad 3 victory, which, while not particularly impactful, would help maintain their strong NCAA Tournament resume, potentially keeping them in the conversation for a top-four seed. Their impressive Quad 1 record, coupled with an unblemished Quad 2 mark, has positioned them for a favorable seeding. In contrast, Maryland's postseason hopes are contingent upon a conference tournament title, rendering this game more about pride and momentum than tangible resume enhancement. With their Quad 1 record already underwhelming, a loss would merely reinforce their long-shot status, while a stunning upset would, at the very least, provide a much-needed morale boost - but for Nebraska, a loss would be a glaring misstep that could have lasting implications on their seeding, and ultimately, their tournament fate.