Villanova basketball will face Maryland for the second consecutive season after beating them, 57-40, on Nov. 17, 2023.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova (3-3) and Maryland (4-1)
Tip-Off Time: 1 p.m.
Watch: ESPN
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
What to know about Maryland:
The Terrapins’ only loss came to #15 Marquette, which they lost by just four points, 78-74. Other than that, Maryland has dominated its non-conference schedule. In its recent game against Canisius, Maryland won 108-37, marking a 71-point win.
Freshman center Derik Queen has made an impact out of the gate for the Terrapins, averaging 15 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Queen sizes in at six-foot-10, but has the athleticism of a forward. Villanova will need to find a way to limit Queen’s output.
Junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the Belmont transfer, also leads Maryland with 15 points per game. He was a huge pick-up in the offseason for Maryland after it lost Jahmir Young to graduation.
Many young players are finding a rhythm early. In this transfer portal era of college basketball, if players can get situated early in the season, they have an advantage.
Latest on Villanova basketball:
Villanova had a break in action last playing on Tuesday, Nov. 19, beating Penn, 93-49.
This was Villanova’s largest gap between games this season so far.
Graduate Eric Dixon leads the team with an average of 24.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. He is among the top forwards in the country. His versatility makes Dixon so lethal, scoring in the paint and from deep. He has shot 56% on field goals and 56.7% on three-pointers this season.
Dixon has scored at least 20 points in every game he has played in this season.
Miami transfer Wooga Poplar is proving to be Villanova’s best portal add, averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Poplar’s game is entertaining and fun to watch. He is not afraid to put his body on the line, which is what some of the best Wildcats have done before him.
Villanova needs senior guard Jhamir Brickus to continue his passing abilities. In the win over Penn, Brickus had eight assists and one turnover. He knows how to find open players to hit shots.