That two-game mini-Big Ten schedule early in the season didn’t fully introduce the conference’s West Coast additions, who stayed in their region and played each other. Now, with the Big Ten’s full slate arriving, they’ll begin competing with longstanding Big Ten teams. It’ll be an interesting stylistic clash, pitting teams accustomed to the Pac 12’s finesse and speed against opponents chiseled by the Big Ten’s physicality.
That’s a concern for Danny Sprinkle, whose Washington team hosts Maryland tonight.
“They’re going to see a totally different body type than they’ve seen in the Pac-12, and the West Coast for that matter … You’re going to see some big, physical hogs, man. I mean on every team. It’s going to be smash-mouth basketball. It really is,” Sprinkle said. “They’re great, but that’s what you deal with in the Big Ten.”
Sprinkle was asked about the matchup between star Maryland freshman Derik Queen and Washington center Great Osobor, who leads Washington in scoring (14.2 points per game), rebounds (8.7), assists (3.6) and steals (2.1).
“Queen, if he’s not the best freshman, he’s one of them,” Sprinkle said. “Enjoy him this year, because he’ll be in the NBA next year. He’s that good. He’s a monster.”
Washington, ranked No. 77 by KenPom, is averaging the second-fewest points per game in the Big Ten (74.6). Maryland is averaging the third-most (87.2) and its plus-27.1 point per game margin is No. 1 in college basketball.
“We have to do a great job at taking care of the basketball … They feed off turnovers, and if you turn the ball over, you’re going to get blown out,” Sprinkle said. “We have to do a great job of getting shots on the rim and controlling the tempo. If you try to play fast with them, you’re in trouble. And the analytics show that, too.”
Maryland and Washington have little in common. They’re separated by 2,300 miles and have never played each other. But there are a few recruiting connections. Injured fifth-year Washington big man Franck Kepnang, who began his career at Oregon, was once a top Maryland recruiting target. And former Maryland forward Mady Traore, averaging more than 17 points and 10 rebounds per game for Frank Phillips Community College, signed with the Huskies in December.
“He’s a 6-11, like, electric athlete,” Sprinkle said in November. “He brings dynamic athleticism and size and length, which we need,”
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