The University of Maryland-College Park and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln clashed at Pinnacle Bank Arena, with Nebraska ultimately emerging victorious, 74-61. The 13-point margin of victory belies a contest that was closely contested, particularly in the first half, where Nebraska held a slim 33-27 advantage over Maryland. Despite the eventual double-digit margin, the outcome of this game hinged on a possession or two, as the difference in scoring between the two halves was relatively consistent.
A closer examination of the half scores reveals that Nebraska's advantage was sustained throughout the game, with the Cornhuskers outscoring the Terrapins 41-34 in the second half. Given the disparity in NET rankings, with Nebraska sitting at 11 and Maryland at 142, the outcome may not be entirely surprising. However, the margin of victory suggests that Maryland was able to remain competitive, even if ultimately unable to overcome the Cornhuskers' advantage.
A 21-point, 8-rebound performance from Braden Frager set the tone for Nebraska, as his ability to score from both inside and outside the arc proved difficult for Maryland to contain. With the game on the line, Frager's 6-for-6 mark from the free throw line helped seal the victory for the Cornhuskers. His 6-13 field goal shooting and 3-9 three-point shooting also demonstrated his versatility as a scorer.
The freshman standout Pryce Sandfort chipped in with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, showcasing his all-around skills in the winning effort. Erupting for 16 points, Sandfort's 5-13 field goal shooting and 3-11 three-point shooting were complemented by his perfect 3-3 mark from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Rienk Mast's 13 points and 4 rebounds provided additional scoring punch, with his 5-13 field goal shooting and 1-2 three-point shooting contributing to Nebraska's balanced attack.
Despite the loss, the team's leading scorer, Andre Mills, put up respectable numbers, with his 19 points on 7-15 shooting and 6 rebounds falling just short of what was needed to keep Maryland in contention. Finishing with 15 points, Elijah Saunders struggled to find consistency beyond the arc, where he went 5-10, and was largely neutralized by Nebraska's defense in other facets of the game.
His 13 points and 7 rebounds made Solomon Washington a steady presence for Maryland, but the team's overall struggles meant that his well-rounded performance, which included 2 assists and a block, was not enough to turn the tide. With 4-4 shooting from the free throw line, Washington was one of the few bright spots for Maryland, but ultimately, the team's top performers were shut down by Nebraska's stifling defense, leaving them unable to mount a comeback.
With a 6-point outing, Darius Adams' scoring production was 5.1 points below his season average, while his assist total of 6 was a notable 4.4 above his typical output, showcasing an unusual distribution of his statistical contributions. In the case of David Coit, a 6-point performance represented a significant 8.1-point drop from his season average, underscoring a difficult shooting night, as evidenced by his 2-9 field goal mark, with Coit's 3 assists barely exceeding his seasonal norm.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a Nebraska victory by 23 points ultimately proved correct, albeit by a significantly narrower margin than anticipated. The actual outcome, a 13-point win for the Cornhuskers, suggests that Maryland put up a more formidable fight than expected. This disparity between the predicted and actual margins of victory implies that the Terrapins were able to exploit certain weaknesses in Nebraska's game plan, even if they were ultimately unable to secure the win.
A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that Nebraska's struggles on the glass were a key factor in the closer-than-expected outcome. The Cornhuskers' offensive rebounding rate of 19.4% was significantly lower than their season average, indicating that they were unable to capitalize on second-chance opportunities as effectively as they typically do. Meanwhile, Maryland's three-point shooting, while not exceptional, was sufficient to keep the game competitive, particularly given Nebraska's own modest performance from beyond the arc. These factors, combined with the Terrapins' ability to stay within striking distance of their season average in terms of effective field goal percentage, helped to keep the game closer than the pre-game prediction had suggested.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. For Nebraska, the victory bolstered their already strong NCAA Tournament resume, as they improved to 6-4 against Quad 1 opponents, a crucial metric in the selection committee's evaluation process. With a top-15 NET ranking and an impressive record against high-quality opponents, Nebraska is solidifying their position as a potential top-5 seed in the tournament. In contrast, Maryland's loss further diminishes their already faint hopes of securing an at-large bid, leaving them with no choice but to focus on winning the Big Ten conference tournament to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. As the Cornhuskers continue to build momentum, it is clear that their ability to navigate the treacherous Big Ten landscape will be a major factor in determining their seeding, and ultimately, their tournament fate. Nebraska's postseason trajectory is now more promising than ever, and it will be fascinating to see how they capitalize on this momentum.