Maryland basketball enters Big Ten with something to prove after a weak non-conference schedule.

Maryland basketball started the season No. 25 in the preseason AP Poll, but the Terps haven’t returned to the top 25 after a surprisingly close win against American, 62-56, in the season opener. Maryland survived some scares to avoid major upsets against lower-tier teams including games against Towson, Richmond, and most recently, Charlotte.

The Terps only defeat of the season came at home where Pittsburgh dominated Maryland until the last minutes of the second half. However, there were some notable wins against top-40 teams including a stunning comeback win over Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Other key wins involve Kansas State in Brooklyn, New York to win the Barclays Classic title and a one-point victory at home against Oklahoma State.

Without a top 25 win, Maryland basketball will need to prove themselves against Big Ten foes. Entering Christmas weekend, Maryland has the best overall record in the B1G Ten conference. Both Minnesota and Rutgers conclude non-conference play with just one loss. One of the big surprises not just in the B1G Ten but in the nation is Michigan State. The Spartans, who are 8-5, opened the season No. 12 in the AP Poll but lost against every ranked opponent on their schedule and a dismal defeat at home to Northeastern.

With Maryland’s B1G Ten opener just days away and bracketology already taking shape, let’s explore the Terps first four B1G Ten matchups.

Illinois @ Maryland (Tuesday, Dec 27, 5 p.m ET on ESPN2)

Storylines

Illinois Fighting Illini comes into their B1G Ten opener against Maryland riding a six-game winning streak following a win against a SEC team that won just three games in conference play last year, the Missouri Tigers.

Before their recent winning streak, Illinois endured a disconcerting three-game losing streak against Winthrop, and at the time, No. 19 West Virginia, and No. 25 Florida State. In Maryland’s lone contest against Illinois last season, the Terps ran all over the Fighting Illini at home, 81-55, on March 3rd.

Players to Watch

Illinois’ guard Malcolm Hill is averaging 18.4 points including a 40-point performance in a win over Northern Kentucky on Nov. 13th and scored 32 points in a victory over IUPUI on Dec. 6th. The 21-year-old senior ranks in the top 50 in the nation for several major categories, most notably his 86 free throw attempts which leads all B1G Ten players and ranks 30th in the entire nation. Hill’s 1,482 total points are on pace to break into the top three all-time Illinois’ scorers and could cause issues for the Maryland Terrapins.

Likely to matchup against Hill is Maryland’s junior guard Melo Trimble, who is averaging just below Hill’s 18.4 points per game with an average of 17.9 points this season. In two career games against the Fighting Illini, Trimble has an average of 17.5 points per game.

Bottom Line

Maryland must find a way to put their slow starts behind them against the teams of the B1G Ten. Hill may cause problems for Maryland early, especially if the Terps’ sluggish first half performances continue.