Maryland to ride Jahmir Young’s hot hand vs. Michigan State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th January, 12:25 2024

Jan 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young (1) drives the ball against Maryland Terrapins center Braden Pierce (4) during the second half at State Farm Center. credits: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

For most of the season, Maryland's offense has been a one-man show.

The Terrapins (11-7, 3-4 Big Ten) will look for leading scorer Jahmir Young to deliver another scintillating performance on Sunday afternoon when Michigan State visits College Park, Md.

Young averages 20.8 points per game and has been on a tear throughout the past month. The fifth-year guard has scored at least 20 points in six of his last seven games, including a 36-point outburst in a 72-69 loss to Northwestern on Wednesday.

"Jahmir was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal," Maryland coach Kevin Willard said, per InsideMDSports.

Young's heroics weren't enough for the Terrapins, who had just three different scorers aside from Young.

Jordan Geronimo scored 12 points on Wednesday and has totaled 21 on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor over his past two games.

"Obviously I haven't been shooting the ball the best, and I know (I) can shoot the ball, so seeing the ball go through the net is a good feeling," Geronimo said, per The Diamondback newspaper.

Forward Julian Reese has been a solid No. 2 scoring option for the Terrapins, averaging 13.6 points per game.

The Spartans (11-7, 3-4) have won consecutive conference games for the first time this season, but coach Tom Izzo still isn't satisfied with the team's state as the Big Ten campaign nears its midpoint.

"It's the time of year where you have to do two things, you got to win games and you got to be progressing in every game," Izzo said after Michigan State beat visiting Minnesota 76-66 on Thursday. " ... We won a game but we did not progress, and I was disappointed."

Izzo loathed the Spartans' uncharacteristic struggles at the free-throw line and from 3-point range Thursday. The team shot 65.2 percent and 25 percent, respectively — both below their season averages.

Guard Tyson Walker led Michigan State with 21 points in the win, bringing his scoring average up to 20.0 entering his matchup against Young. The Spartans' balanced attack includes guards A.J. Hoggard (11.2 points) and Jaden Akins (10.7) and forward Malik Hall (11.1).

—Field Level Media

Latest