Maryland has returned looking very strong after a disappointing end to the 2013-14 season. The Terrapins are currently ranked No. 12 overall in their first season in the Big Ten after going out with a whisper in 2014. Now the team gets their first bite of conference play in their 2014 finale as they prepare to take on a Michigan State team who has struggled to start the season.
Not only is Maryland proving people wrong in their first season in the Big Ten, but they are also just getting started. The team was originally picked to finish eighth in the conference after going 9-9 last season in the ACC, but a deep rotation has the excelling while only getting deeper. Branden Dawson will return after suffering a back injury as he pairs with Jake Layman and freshman Melo Trimble who looked strong in the win over Oakland. That game also marked the return of Dez Wells who is averaging 16.2 points per game before fracturing his wrist.
Michigan State sits at 9-4 on the year after losing to Duke, Notre Dame and Kansas along with an overtime loss at home to Texas Southern. Michigan State is coming off a win against the Citadel after Denzel Valentine who scored 18 points. Head coach Tom Izzo does not credit that as momentum for his team, but he is hoping that entering conference play will really push the Spartans to playing to their level.
Injuries have been an issue for Michigan State. Dawson's wrist fracture was just the start. Jevon Bess has been struggling with a foot and ankle injury which leaves the team without one of their top players. The Spartans are hoping Dawson is back for good as they need his 8.5 rebounds per game and 1.4 steals which both lead the team.
In terms of offense and defense, both Maryland and Michigan State are nearly identical. Maryland is averaging 74.8 points per game while giving up 61.2 and Michigan State is averaging 75.0 points while giving up 60.2 points. Maryland has the healthier and deeper roster to get them through this game as the Spartans could be hampered by the injuries that have crept up.
