5 Bold Predictions For No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 5 West Virginia

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 5 West Virginia

West Virginia Mountaineers Juwan Staten NCAA Tournament — From the Maryland Terrapins’ creative jersey calicos to Bob Huggins’ penchant for wearing sleeveless rain jackets while indoors, this No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup will offer as much for the aesthetic as it will with the physical. In the Round of 32, here are five big things that will happen, regardless the puffy pullover coach Huggins elects to wear.

5. Melo Trimble Scores 20+ Points

Melo Trimble Maryland Terrapins basketball West Virginia NCAA Tournament

5. Melo Trimble Scores 20+ Points

Melo Trimble Maryland Terrapins basketball West Virginia NCAA Tournament — Melo Trimble got a first taste of the NCAA tournament pressure-cooker on Friday, and only came away with 14 points against the Valparaiso Crusaders. Although Trimble has postseason rebounding figured out, look for this freshman phenom to recalibrate the shooting touch and shine in Sunday’s game with West Virginia.

4. West Virginia Will Struggle From The Line

West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Tournament Devin Williams

4. West Virginia Will Struggle From The Line

West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Tournament Devin Williams — The deeper you go into the tournament, the deeper great free-throw shooting can take you. This could spell the end for West Virginia if the Mountaineers continue a 66 percent clip from the line. I predict the Mountaineers will only add just five points from free throws, and I predict that may not be enough.

3. Maryland Will Out-Rebound West Virginia

Maryland Terrapins basketball Jake Layman NCAA Tournament

3. Maryland Will Out-Rebound West Virginia

Maryland Terrapins basketball Jake Layman NCAA Tournament — West Virginia ranks 346th in Division I in defensive rebounding. If you didn’t know there were even 346 teams in Division I, I totally understand. This is an atrocious Mountaineers’ attribute that will not stand-up to Maryland’s front line. Expect the Terps to crash the glass and after nearly every possession.

2. Devin Williams Will Earn A Double-Double

West Virginia Mountaineers Devin Williams Maryland Terrapins NCAA Tournament

2. Devin Williams Will Earn A Double-Double

West Virginia Mountaineers Devin Williams Maryland Terrapins NCAA Tournament — West Virginia will need all the inside help the Mountaineers can get, and Devin Williams could be the definite answer. Although the Terps are proficient on the boards, and although Williams endured a possible sprained ankle, I predict the sophomore forward will surprisingly compile 15-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in an effort to extend West Virginia’s tournament run.

1. The Terps Survive

Maryland Terrapins basketball Mark Turgeon NCAA Tournament

1. The Terps Survive

Maryland Terrapins basketball Mark Turgeon NCAA Tournament — Both teams played close games on Friday, and they’ll both burn the barn on Sunday. Look for multiple lead changes, many blown opportunities, and one final possession that will decide it all — and decide it all in Maryland’s favor.

Teams in this article »

Maryland Terrapins

•

West Virginia Mountaineers

Share On Facebook

Share