High Five: Maryland

Photo Courtesy of University of Illinois Sports Communications

When writing the ”SCHEDULE POST!” section for the basketball preview way back in October I highlighted this Maryland game as…

The annual “When I learn everything I need to know about this team” game.

And wrote the following:

“First off, this team needs to get the Turtle off their back. Underwood is 3-9 against Maryland over his Illini tenure - including just 1-5 at the State Farm Center! The Terps had some difficulty rebuilding their roster after Kevin Willard bolted for Villanova and were picked just 13th in the conference preseason media poll. This Maryland thing has gone far enough and I need to see it end. This game also will also mark the end of six straight games against the expected bottom feeders of the conference, and if I’m to entertain any thoughts of this Illinois team as a serious contender in the conference prior to the matchup against Purdue, then five wins in this stretch is the bare minimum.