Maryland men’s basketball lost to Washington, 75-69, on Jan. 2 to open up the new year.
Maryland (11-3 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) dropped its first game of 2025 after going 5-1 in December. In their third Big Ten matchup of the season, the Terps faltered late and beat themselves.
“You’ve got to do all the little things,” head coach Kevin Willard said of playing on the road. “The first possession of the game, we gave up a second shot and they hit a three. I thought we played great defense on that first possession, but then all the sudden you give up an offensive rebound and it sets the tone from there.”
Maryland has a quick turnaround as part of its West Coast trip, facing No. 9 Oregon on Jan. 5. But first, here are three takeaways from Maryland’s defeat:
Maryland struggled in the clutch.
Once Washington took a 59-58 lead with 5:15 remaining in the game, Maryland could not stop the Huskies’ momentum.
The combination of sending the Washington to the line and missing free throws of their own was the dagger late for the Terps. Maryland allowed and-ones on two late possessions when it seemed the Terps were on the verge of getting stops.
Maryland also struggled from the free throw line when it mattered, leaving points on the board. The Terps were 15 of 22 from the line on the night.
Though Maryland was in the bonus for a majority of the second half, Washington was cool, calm and collected as it protected home court. Huskies big man Great Osobor scored 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting to keep the Terps at bay.
“Our transition defense, they took advantage of it,” Willard said. “I give Osobor a lot of credit, made some big plays. That was I think the difference in the game.”
Foul trouble caused trouble.
Freshman center Derik Queen and junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie had quiet outings against Washington, combining for five points on 1 of 11 shooting.
Queen finished with four points (zero in the first half) and one rebound. Gillespie finished with one point and fouled out in the second half.
Though Queen managed to not foul out, he was a non-factor as he tried to stay away from contact, limiting his aggression.
Maryland was quiet from 3-point range.
Maryland was just 2 of 11 from deep, surprising from a team that launched nearly 25 threes per game entering the contest against Washington. The Terps’ 11 attempts are its fewest all season.
The lack of threes can partly be attributed to Gillespie not being on the court, but transfers Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel were also brought in to help out from beyond the 3-point line. Neither player was able to help pick up the slack from deep against the Huskies, combining to go 1 of 6 from deep.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics