Maryland (12-1)
vs.
Illinois (10-3)
December 27, 2016 || XFINITY Center || 5 p.m.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's basketball kicks off Big Ten play when it hosts Illinois Tuesday at 5 p.m. at XFINITY Center on ESPN2.
storylines
• Melo Trimble had 21 points and Maryland extended its winning streak to five games with an 88-72 victory over Charlotte on Dec. 20 the last time out at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. Anthony Cowan scored 16 for the Terrapins, who made 10 3-pointers in the second half. Michal Cekovsky, Kevin Huerter and Ivan Bender had 10 points apiece for the Terrapins who had five or more players in double figures for the second time in as many games.
• With his 21-point outing versus Charlotte, Melo Trimble now has seven games of 20 or more points this season. He went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe against the 49ers, giving him 434 career made free throws, passing Terrapin legend Lonny Baxter for fifth all-time. He needs six to pass Greivis Vasquez for sole possession of fourth all-time. Maryland is 30-4 when Trimble gets to the line at least seven times.
• The Terps are 2-0 in Big Ten home openers, defeating Penn State, 70-64, last season, and Minnesota, 70-58, in Maryland's inaugural season. Maryland also topped Michigan State in a double overtime thriller in East Lansing to begin the 2014-15 campaign.
• Maryland is 26-10 in its first two years in the Big Ten Conference, including a 34-2 mark in conference play at XFINITY Center. Only Wisconsin has more wins in Big Ten action the past two seasons (28-8). Head coach Mark Turgeon guided the Terrapins to a 24-6 record through their first 30 Big Ten games, becoming the fastest coach Big Ten coach to reach 20 conference wins since former Illinois mentor Bruce Weber guided the Illini to 20 wins in his first 23 games at the helm during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.
• The Terps have started the last three seasons on a tear, racking up a 12-1 record in each season through 13 games. Maryland was 14-1 to begin the 2014-15 campaign and 15-1 to kick off the 2015-16 season.
• Melo Trimble and Jake Layman each scored 18 points as Maryland routed Illinois, 81-55, on Senior Night at XFINITY Center March 3, 2016, in the last meeting between the two programs. The Terps lead the all-time series, 6-5.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Fans will only be able to carry the following style and size bag into the arena all of which are subject to search.
Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12"
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
Small clutch bags, measuring 4.5” x 6.5” with or without a handle or strap
All other bags will not be permitted. A list of prohibited bags includes, but is not limited to: purses, backpacks, drawstring bags that are not clear, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases and diaper bags. Guests are encouraged to return unauthorized items to their vehicles. The University of Maryland cannot safeguard items that are not permitted into the stadium.
