Maryland men’s basketball caught a big break on Thursday with a pair of Illini pieces battling illness, but the Terps took full control of the game to pick up its much-needed signature win on its NCAA Tournament resume.
Maryland climbed back to 20th in the updated NET rankings and 22nd in KenPom, but it was how Maryland won that caught attention of the college basketball world.
“Yes, Illinois is not the same team without Tomislav Ivisic and you take that into account for the Illini, but Maryland’s gone into Champaign and put up a complete performance. What a night for Julian Reese with 27 and 14. Queen with 20/6/4. And Gillespie is tough. Big for Terps,” FOX analyst John Fanta added.
The Baltimore duo combined for 52 points and 23 rebounds in a career night as it marked the most for the pair in a game this season. Julian Reese recorded a career-high both points (27) and rebounds (17) for his sixth 20-point game of the season, while Queen now sits just three away from tying Melo Trimble for the program record after recording his seventh 20-point game of his freshman season.
The duo anchored the Terps’ in Champaign, teaming up to lead Maryland to 62 points in the paint for the most by any Big Ten team this season, along with most in a conference game under Kevin Willard.
The Baltimore tandem weren't the only ones to light up the stat sheet as Selton Miguel added 14 points for his 14th game in double figures this season, while Ja'Kobi Gillespie added 15 points and eight assists. Gillespie also broke the seal on Maryland's three-point shooting after drilling the team's first made triple 28 minutes into the game.
Gillespie has now recorded four or more assists in every conference game aside from the West Coast swing, while notching double figure scoring in each of his last six games.
“Ja’Kobi Gillespie is the most underrated point guard in America,” Jon Rothstein added.
Maryland will now look to build on their road momentum when they travel to face Indiana on Sunday, Jan. 26 for a noon tipoff on CBS. The Hoosiers have won the last three against Maryland, including the last three in Bloomington, as the last win came after Jalen Smith capped off a 7-0 run in the final minutes in a 77-76 win back on Jan. 26.
Related Links
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube