Michigan basketball: Maryland game could be a turning point

This Thursday, Michigan basketball (10-7 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) will face off against the Maryland Terrapins (11-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) in a massive game for the Wolverines’ seeding and tournament hopes.

Michigan basketball still in contention for Big Ten

Despite Michigan’s subpar 10-7 record, the Wolverines are still in contention for a Big Ten Championship. Michigan basketball holds a 6-5 nonconference record and a Q4 loss to Central Michigan; however, U-M has a 4-2 Big Ten record and has already beaten Maryland once this season. The Wolverines are tied for 3rd in the Big Ten with Michigan State, and are one game back in the standings.

The conference’s top team is No. 3 Purdue (5-1 Big Ten) followed by Rutgers (5-2 Big Ten), and then Michigan and Michigan State (4-2). If Michigan basketball expects to catch the Boilermakers and Scarlet Knights, U-M will need to build off of its momentum gained in its 85-78 win over Northwestern.

It will be tough, but it can be done

On January 1st, 2023, Michigan basketball welcomed Maryland to the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI. The Wolverines — coming off of a loss to CMU — floored the Terrapins, 81-46, in a huge bounce-back win. Seeing as the Terrapins have struggled in Big Ten play and have a blowout loss to Michigan earlier this year, this game should be winnable for the Wolverines.

At the same time, U-M has lost two Big Ten games this far; both of which came on the road. So far during the 2022-23 season, Michigan basketball is 1-2 on the road; its one win was a 90-75 road win vs. Minnesota and its two losses came over the past two weeks, one at Michigan State, and the other at Iowa. Right now, ESPN gives the Wolverines a 19.6 percent chance of victory over the Terrapins, so to say Michigan is an underdog would be an understatement.

The game is set to tip off at 7:00 PM (EST) on Thursday, January 19th. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.