Men’s hoops faces Villanova on Sunday in the Saatva Empire Classic

Maryland (4-1) vs. Villanova (3-3)

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Maryland steps away from the XFINITY Center for the first time this season when the Terps take on Villanova in the Saatva Empire Classic on Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The game tips at 1 p.m. on ESPN. Fans can listen to the game on the Maryland Sports Radio Network with Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday calling the action along with Chris Knoche. The Terps are coming off a 108-37 win over Canisius to close out a five-game homestand. The 71-point victory was the second-most in school history as the Terps had seven players reach double figures for the first time since 1995.

Terps OFF for a quick start

• Despite the small sample size, Maryland has put up strong numbers to start the year. The Terps have averaged 86.2 points per game. game, which would be the fifth-best single-season mark in program history. Maryland’s .485 shooting percentage is its best since 2015-16 (.486) and 1998-99 (.495).
• Defensively, Maryland is allowing just 53.8 points per game. match, which would be the third-best mark in program history. The only two seasons better were 1951-52 (50.7) and 1950-51 (52.6) — both over three decades before the shot clock and three-point line were introduced. The Terps also average 9.4 steals per game. game, which is the sixth-best average in school history and the best mark since 2002-03 (10.3).
• Nationally, Maryland’s +32.4 scoring margin is eighth-best in Division I and second-best in the Big Ten behind Penn State. The Terps’ 53.8 points allowed ranks 10th nationally, also second in the Big Ten behind UCLA, while Maryland’s 22 turnovers forced per. game is 22nd nationally and third among league foes.

Defensively, Maryland is allowing just 53.8 points per game. match, which would be the third-best mark in program history.

No rust on Hot Rod

• After not playing in a collegiate basketball game for 600 days prior to the Manhattan game, Rodney Rice has certainly shaken off any rust to start the season.
• The sophomore guard had a breakout game against Mount St. Mary’s with 28 total points on 10-of-14 shooting. He had 26 points in the first half alone, making him the first Big Ten player since Luke Garza had 27 points in the first half at Michigan on Dec. 6, 2019. The last Terp to have 26 or more points in a half , was Jahmir Young last season at Northwestern (1/17/24) when he posted 28 in the second.
• Rice made his first start in the win over Canisius and is currently third on the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game. match. He has the most triples (12) on the team, while hitting at a clip of 44.4 percent.

Rodney Rice became the first Big Ten player since Luke Garza in 2019-20 to score 26 or more points in the first half of a game with his performance against Mount St. Mary’s.

Juju Beast

• Julian Reese entered the 2024-25 campaign as one of the best post players in the Big Ten and nationally. Last season, he earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors as a junior after being named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team and to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Watch List.
• Reese posted 15 double-doubles last season, which was ninth most nationally and tied for second in the Big Ten during the regular season.
• Reese has 23 total double-doubles after posting 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Canisius.
• Dating back to 2010-11, Reese has the fourth-most double-doubles of any Terp.

Gillespie’s An Instant Impact

• Since joining the Terps, Ja’Kobi Gillespie has scored in double figures in every game this year – the only terp to do so.
• Towards no. 15 Marquette Gillespie had a season-high 24 points on 10-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-9 from three-point range. The total was just two shy of matching his career high of 26 points scored against Southern Illinois (2/14/24) when he was at Belmont. Gillespie also leads the team with 15 total assists (3.0 per game), giving him 227 for his career.
• Gillespie now has 811 career points between Belmont and Maryland through 62 total career games played.
• A highly touted football prospect while in high school, Gillespie received offers from ACC and SEC programs online. As a wide receiver, defensive back and special teams returner, he completed a touchdown trifecta with a receiving touchdown, a pick-six and a punt return in a single game.