Terps want to run and gun and they've done a great job of it overall and especially at home. Both coaches know each other well and both desperate for a win. UCLA's shooting slump won't last forever and Terps perimeter D has been lacking. They will do everything possible to get Bruins to play at their pace and UCLA will need the 3-ball to do it. Terps have played 12 straight games 140+. UCLA will want to make this a rock fight but I don't see it happening that way.

Mick Cronin just called out his team on their toughness which he may have a point. UCLA is not physical around the rim and their best player plays more like a guard. It may not have been the best time to call of his team on their toughness as they now travel across country to play Maryland who has an excellent defense at home, holding opponents to 57.6 points per game. This only the third true road game for the Bruins and they have been shooting less than 49% effectively on the road. Maryland has more physicality to control the paint and even though the Bruins rely on creating turnovers, Maryland protects the ball on offense very well.

As if the local wildfires aren't enough distraction back home in Westwood, a different sort of problem lately on the court for the Bruins, who have gone ice-cold from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 48 (6 of 48!) triples in losses to Nebraska and Michigan. (Sheesh!) Struggling isn't even the word for G Dylan Andrews (7 points the last four games!). Add in a rugged Big Ten slate and no wonder Mick Cronin is looking like a ghost these days. Meanwhile, the Terps are glad to be home, blew out both Ohio State and Syracuse in December, has a real frontline with 6-10 frosh Derik Queen & 6-9 sr Julian Reese (combined 29 ppg), and scores nearly 86 ppg. Play Maryland