It will go into the record books as a 13-point loss, but in reality, Northwestern's basketball team has a lot of growing to do if it wants to join the top tier in the Big Ten.
Maryland used its length and athleticism to build a 22-point lead in the first half and was barely threatened in the second half as it ended the Wildcats' 13-game home winning streak with a 72-59 victory.
Playing in front of a sold-out Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Wildcats chipped away at the Terrapins' lead, cutting the deficit to 14 on three different occasions in the second half, but it was a futile effort. Maryland locked down on the Cats' three-point shooters, holding them to 2-for-20 beyond the arc, while netting 11 of 31 of their own.
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins
"Maryland was really good tonight, the best I have seen them defensively. Their length and athleticism forced us into a lot of problems. I thought we came out jittery, but I want our team to play in front of crowds like this. We made too many turnovers (8) in the first half and you can't spot a team a 40-20 lead. We let them get out into the open floor and it's tough to stop them.
"Maryland has all the components to be a very good team – great guards, size and athletic players. I hope this is a learning experience for us.''
On NU's three-point shooting
"You're not going to beat a top 20 team, especially without Alex Olah, by shooting like that. They really defended the three-point line. They were really hugging our shooters and we had several shots (9) blocked. When we did get to the free throw line, we didn't make them.
"I don't think we're living and dying by the three-point line. Twenty of our 60 shots were threes. If half our shots were threes, I'd be worried. They have to take those shots when they're open.''
On Tre Demps shooting 4-for-16
"Rasheed Sulaimon did a great job on Tre, forcing him into some tough shots. I thought Tre had three or four floaters, but he didn't take advantage of them. He makes some of those and then we start getting more open three-pointers.''
Next up: Ohio State Wednesday at home
"We have to move forward. I don't see anyone going 18-0 in this league. We got beat by a good team. When you play a good team, your weaknesses are exposed and we have to get better at them. We can't afford to make this game bigger than it is. We have more big games ahead of us.''
Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon
"I have a ton of respect for Northwestern and its program. The way they played us at our place last year got our attention. We were as good defensively tonight as we have been all year. We were disruptive and our energy level was great in the first half. I just wish we would have rebounded better.'' (Northwestern beat the Terrapins 40-37 on the boards.)
"We were really prepared mentally in the first half. They run a ton of plays and we put a lot into our preparation. We were in tight on all the plays they run for Aaron Falzon (8 points). Our guys like to be challenged. This team was averaging over 80 points and has great shooters. They embraced the road tonight.''
Maryland used its length and athleticism to build a 22-point lead in the first half and was barely threatened in the second half as it ended the Wildcats' 13-game home winning streak with a 72-59 victory.
Playing in front of a sold-out Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Wildcats chipped away at the Terrapins' lead, cutting the deficit to 14 on three different occasions in the second half, but it was a futile effort. Maryland locked down on the Cats' three-point shooters, holding them to 2-for-20 beyond the arc, while netting 11 of 31 of their own.
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins
"Maryland was really good tonight, the best I have seen them defensively. Their length and athleticism forced us into a lot of problems. I thought we came out jittery, but I want our team to play in front of crowds like this. We made too many turnovers (8) in the first half and you can't spot a team a 40-20 lead. We let them get out into the open floor and it's tough to stop them.
"Maryland has all the components to be a very good team – great guards, size and athletic players. I hope this is a learning experience for us.''
On NU's three-point shooting
"You're not going to beat a top 20 team, especially without Alex Olah, by shooting like that. They really defended the three-point line. They were really hugging our shooters and we had several shots (9) blocked. When we did get to the free throw line, we didn't make them.
"I don't think we're living and dying by the three-point line. Twenty of our 60 shots were threes. If half our shots were threes, I'd be worried. They have to take those shots when they're open.''
On Tre Demps shooting 4-for-16
"Rasheed Sulaimon did a great job on Tre, forcing him into some tough shots. I thought Tre had three or four floaters, but he didn't take advantage of them. He makes some of those and then we start getting more open three-pointers.''
Next up: Ohio State Wednesday at home
"We have to move forward. I don't see anyone going 18-0 in this league. We got beat by a good team. When you play a good team, your weaknesses are exposed and we have to get better at them. We can't afford to make this game bigger than it is. We have more big games ahead of us.''
Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon
"I have a ton of respect for Northwestern and its program. The way they played us at our place last year got our attention. We were as good defensively tonight as we have been all year. We were disruptive and our energy level was great in the first half. I just wish we would have rebounded better.'' (Northwestern beat the Terrapins 40-37 on the boards.)
"We were really prepared mentally in the first half. They run a ton of plays and we put a lot into our preparation. We were in tight on all the plays they run for Aaron Falzon (8 points). Our guys like to be challenged. This team was averaging over 80 points and has great shooters. They embraced the road tonight.''
