COLLEGE PARK, Md. -  The No. 9 Maryland men's basketball team is set to face Minnesota in Minneapolis Wednesday evening at 9:00 pm on BTN. The Terps currently hold a two-game lead in the Big Ten Conference standings with four games remaining, and are looking to claim their first conference title since 2009-10.

STORYLINES

• All-American candidate Anthony Cowan Jr. is expected to make his program record-breaking 127th consecutive start Wednesday evening against Minnesota. The Terps' "Ironman" has started every game of his career and is currently tied with Keith Booth (1993-97). Cowan ranks third in Maryland history having played 33.7 minutes/g for his career.

• Maryland is 9-2 all-time against Minnesota, including wins in four of the last five. Anthony Cowan Jr. has averaged 16.4 points and 5.8 assists in five career meetings with the Gophers, while Jalen Smith averaged 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in a pair of meetings last year.

• All-American candidate Jalen Smith's nine-game double-double streak was snapped against Ohio State. It was the longest active streak in the nation and the longest streak for a player in nine straight wins since Xavier's David West in 2003. Over his last 10 games, Smith is averaging 17.8 points (56% FG), 12.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. His 17 double-doubles on the season rank fifth nationally.

• Through Feb. 24 games, the Terps are No. 10 in the NET rankings, and first in the Big Ten. Maryland is 12-5 against quad 1&2 opponents, with all five losses coming to quad 1 opponents. Maryland also ranks eighth according to KenPom, featuring the 10th-best defensive efficiency in the country.

• Anthony Cowan Jr. has made a habit of making clutch plays this season, making 10-of-16 3-point attempts in the final three minutes of games this season. He most notably made three 3-pointers to close out Michigan State on Feb. 15. 

• Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon boasts a 72-37 (.661) career record in Big Ten games. The win percentage ranks fourth among coaches with 50 wins over the last 40 years, trailing only Bo Ryan (.717), Bob Knight (.700) and Tom Izzo (.692).

• Anthony Cowan Jr. currently ranks eighth (1819 pts) on Maryland's all-time scoring list, and next has his sights set on Lonny Baxter (1858). Cowan also needs to make 15 free throws to pass Keith Booth as the Maryland career record holder from the charity stripe. He is also tied for third in 3-pointers made (203) and fifth in assists (554). 


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.