COLLEGE PARK, Md. -  The No. 3 Maryland men's basketball team, which is off to its best start in 21 years, is set to open Big Ten Conference play Saturday at 5:00 pm as it hosts Illinois. The Terps are 9-0 for the first time since the 1998-99 season and are looking to move to 10-0 for the first time since that same season.

Maryland will host its annual #GoldRush game against the Illini, so be sure to wear your favorite gold Maryland apparel! 

STORYLINES
• Maryland is in its sixth season as a member of the Big Ten Conference, having finished in the top-5 four out of the first five seasons. The Terps have won 4-of-5 Big Ten openers, and six of their last seven conference openers overall. Maryland is 35-10 at home since joining the Big Ten.

• Maryland holds a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series against Illinois, including a 4-2 mark as Big Ten foes. Senior Anthony Cowan Jr. has had great success against Illinois, averaging 19.0 points on 52-percent shooting, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in four career games.

• The Terrapin defense held Notre Dame to just 29-percent shooting in a 72-51 victory Wednesday in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. On the season, Maryland ranks second in the Big Ten and top-20 nationally holding opponents to 36.5-percent shooting.

• Sophomore Jalen Smith was fantastic against Notre Dame, posting 15 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks for his fifth double-double in nine games. It was the first time a Maryland player had posted that stat line since Ryan Randle had 20 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks against Indiana on 12/3/02.

• Senior Anthony Cowan Jr. earned a bevy of awards for his sensational MVP performance at the Orlando Invitational, including NCAA Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Player of the Week. Cowan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals in three games, including a career-high 30-point performance against Temple.

• The Terps currently lead the Big Ten in turnover ratio (+3.4) and are forcing 14.9 turnovers/g. For comparison's sake, the Terps single-season high in the Turgeon era is 12.8/g in the 2013-14 season.

• Senior Anthony Cowan Jr. currently ranks 18th all-time in scoring at Maryland with 1,521 points. The Bowie, Md., native is also 8th all-time in assists (475). Cowan is one of three players in program history with 1,500 points and 450 assists (Greivis Vasquez, John Lucas).

Full notes can be viewed here.

TERPS GAMEDAY

• Fans are reminded that the Maryland Athletics Clear Bag Policy is in effect for all Maryland home games for the 2019-20 season. For more information, please click here.

• For further information on gameday at the XFINITY Center, please reference the XFINITY Center A-Z guide.