Men's Basketball Heads Down to Maryland

Tuesday, February 6

College Park, MD

6:30 PM

Rutgers University

Maryland

Photo by: Ben Solomon

Feb 04 | Men's Basketball

Rutgers Game Notes Radio Live Stats Watch (BTN)Maryland Game Notes

Tuesday night contest at closest league foe on BTN, 6:30 pm

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following a comeback victory at Michigan on Saturday afternoon, RU heads right back on the rugged road of the Big Ten to face Maryland on Tuesday night. The Scarlet Knights will make a three-hour drive down I-95 to the closest league opponent, playing at the XFinity Center, the lone league venue within 200 miles of Jersey Mike's Arena (at 194 miles away). The contest airs on Big Ten Network at 6:30 p.m.

About Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights earned a much-needed road win their last time out, claiming their first ever win at the Crisler Center with a 69-59 win over Michigan to improve to 11-10 overall and 3-7 in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights overcame a 15-point deficit by outscoring the hosts 37-12 down the stretch and 18-2 in the closing minutes.

Sophomore Derek Simpson scored 19 points, his third time this year reaching that total after two 23-point games earlier this season. Junior guard Jeremiah Williams was granted eligibility ahead of the game, making his debut as a starter. He played 29 games and contributed in his first game as a Scarlet Knight by filling up the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Mawot Mag heated up with 11 points in the first half, finishing with 15.

Cliff Omoruyi had a team-best 11 rebounds to go with 15 points for his team-leading seventh double-double of the season and 27^th of his career. He moved past Rashod Kent (26 double-doubles) to now have the most double-doubles of any Rutgers' player of the past 30 seasons. Omoruyi is 10 double-doubles ahead of the next most of any RU player in the Big Ten era (Deshawn Freeman, 17).

With the debut of Jeremiah Williams and Emmanuel Ogbole (eight minutes), RU played 10 players overall. Jamichael Davis also moved into the starting lineup, playing 29 minutes overall. Rutgers' held UM leading scorer Dug McDaniel to 10 points, his second lowest output of the season.

Rutgers is second in the Big Ten in blocks (5.1, 20^th nationally), offensive rebounding (13.19, 25^th nationally) and turnovers forced (15.29, 26^th nationally). Cliff Omoruyi is fourth nationally with 3.0 blocks per game and also third in the league in offensive rebounds.

About Maryland

Following a 63-54 loss at Michigan State Saturday night, the Terps bring a 13-9 overall and 5-6 in league record into the upcoming contest. Head coach Kevin Willard enters his second season at the helm of the Terps, holding a 32-21 record following 12 seasons as the bench boss as Rutgers' in-state rival, Seton Hall.

Jahmir Young, who had 31 points against MSU, is in his second season at Maryland following three at Charlotte, averages 20.9 points per game with a team-best 85 assists. Young leads the Big Ten in free throw percentage and is second in points.

Junior Julian Reese is at 13.1 points with a team best 9.73 rebounds, second in the league and top-20 nationally on the boards. Fifth-year Donta Scott, who will set the program record for games started against RU with 137, is at 11.1 points per game.

Maryland has allowed 70 points or fewer in all but three games this season and ;are the top defensive team in the Big Ten at 63.4 points per game (11^th nationally). The Terps are also first in the Big Ten (14^th nationally) in blocks per game (5.4 bpg).

About the Series

Rutgers and Maryland are meeting for the 21^st time all-time, with the Terps leading the all-time series 13-7. RU has won four of the past six meetings, dating back to a 78-67 win over No. 9 Maryland to close the home schedule in the 2019-20 season.

In the lone meeting last season, RU claimed a 64-50 win over the Terps. Rutgers' forced 20 turnovers and shot 50 percent from the field in the second half to ensure the win. Rutgers last win at Maryland came two seasons ago, as RU outscored the home team 43-21 in the second half, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit for an 11-point win, buoyed by 31 points from Ron Harper Jr.

Milestone Tracker

Cliff Omoruyi (857 career rebounds) is just three rebounds from tying Roy Hinson for fifth all-time at RU. With 1,149 career points, he is currently 29^th all-time at RU, and in striking distance of Bob Graecen (28^th, 1,154), Tom Savage (27^th, 1,166) and Jamal Phillips (26^th, 1,177).

He is also at 63 blocks, three blocks from reaching 17^th on RU's single-season swat list.

With a Win

5 wins in the past seven wins over Maryland
Head coach Steve Pikiell's 129^th career winning, surpassing Bob Wenzel for sole possession of 3^rd place all-time at the helm of RU.
Rutgers would record back-to-back road wins for the first time this season. RU did it twice in league play last season, most recently at Wisconsin (Feb. 18) and Penn State (Feb. 26).

Up Next

Rutgers will return to Jersey Mike's Arena to host on the league's top-ranked teams. RU welcomes No. 6 Wisconsin for a 12 pm tipoff on Saturday, February 10.