Maryland (5-1) vs. Bucknell (4-3)
November 24, 2024
4:30 p.m. ET
XFINITY Center
COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Terps return home for a Thanksgiving Eve match-up against Bucknell in the XFINITY Center to open up a three-game homestand. The game will tip at 4:30 PM on BTN and is part of the Saatva Empire Classic. Fans can listen to the game on the Maryland Sports Radio Network with Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday calling the action alongside Chris Knoche and Walt Williams. The Terps are coming off a thrilling 76-75 win over Villanova in the Empire Classic at the Prudential Center. Maryland overcame a deficit as large as 14 points in the game behind double-doubles from
Derik Queen (22 points, 11 rebounds) and
Julian Reese (18 points, 10 rebounds). Queen was named MVP of the game and named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his efforts. Maryland enters the Bucknell game having won 19 consecutive home games against unranked non-conference opponents.
- Terps and Turkeys: Get out of the house before the Thanksgiving holiday and bring the family to XFINITY Center! Fans can purchase discounted Wall Tickets for this game - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Terps OFF To A Fast Start
- Despite the small sample size, Maryland has been putting up strong numbers to start the year. The Terps have been averaging 84.5 points per game which is tied as the eighth-best single-season mark in program history. Maryland's .487 shooting percentage is its best since 2015-16 (.486) and 1998-99 (.495).
- Defensively, Maryland is allowing just 57.3 points per game which would be the seventh-best mark in program history. The top six seasons all occurred between 1947-59 - decades before the shot clock and three-point line were introduced. The Terps are also averaging 8.3 steals per game which is the 12th-best average in school history and the best mark since 2003-04 (8.6).
- Nationally, Maryland's +27.2 scoring margin is the 15th-best in Division I and second-best in the Big Ten behind Penn State (+31.2). The Terps 57.3 points allowed ranks 10th nationally, third in the Big Ten, while Maryland's 16.7 turnovers forced per game is 30th nationally and fifth among league foes.
Defensively, Maryland is allowing just 57.3 points per game which would be the seventh-best mark in program history.
No Rust On The 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 first half points at Michigan on Dec. 6, 2019. The last Terp to have 26-or-more points in any 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 14.2 points per game. He has the most triples (15) on the team while hitting at a 42.9 percent clip.
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 top 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 were the ninth most nationally and stood second in the Big Ten during the regular season.
- Reese has 24 total double-doubles after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Villanova.
- Dating back to 2010-11, Reese has the fourth-most double doubles for any Terp.
Queen Is The Truth
- Derik Queen leads the team lead in scoring at 16.2 points per game. That average is tied for second-best among Maryland freshmen dating back to 1947-48. Notable is that 18 of the top 26 freshmen scorers in program history were selected in the NBA draft.
- Queen is part of an exceptional national class of 2024-25 freshmen. He is now ninth for overall rookie scoring and is the top center among all NCAA freshmen.
- Since 2008-09, there have been 33 20-point games by Maryland freshmen. In just his first six games, Derrik Queen already has three.
- Queen opened his collegiate career with a double-double. Since 1993-94, he is one of just 13 Terps to post a double-double during their rookie seasons.
