Maryland men’s basketball’s tough non-conference slate reaches its peak this week as it heads to Las Vegas for the second edition of the Players Era Tournament.
The Terps (4-1) will face UNLV (3-2) on Monday at 11:59 p.m., and No. 12 Gonzaga (5-0) on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know for this week.
The Players Era Tournament
With the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in college athletics, a lot has changed. The Players’ Era Tournament perfectly embodies the new landscape. Each program is guaranteed $1 million for its NIL collective for competing in the tournament, with an additional $1 million distributed for performance.
After eight teams competed last season, the list has expanded to 18 from six different conferences.
One of those eight coaches was Maryland’s first-year head coach, Buzz Williams, who led Texas A&M last season. Williams led the Aggies to a 2-1 record and earned quality wins over top competition.
“I know some of the people that are involved in how the tournament started. That was the way that we were able to participate in the first one last year,” Williams said. “When I was hired here, that was the beginning of the conversation for us to play in it this year.”
Williams noted that it’s a great opportunity to earn money for the program while also playing against Quad 1-A competition — the top opponents in the country.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Maryland’s first matchup comes against the hometown team, UNLV. But of the 18 teams involved, the Rebels might be the best draw.
UNLV’s 98th ranking in KenPom is the second lowest in the tournament, only ahead of Rutgers. Maryland is a step up in class for UNLV, which has had an interesting start to the season. Its first losses came against UT Martin, ranked 249th by KenPom, and Montana, ranked 151st. But its two wins came against Memphis (71st) and Saint Joseph’s (155th).
Maryland will be UNLV’s toughest test yet, and it will have to rely on its strengths. It ranks as the 14th-highest tempo team in the nation, leading to high-scoring affairs. The Rebels have scored 80 plus points in every game this season, including over 100 twice.
The Rebels high tempo offense is a balance attack. Six different players average ten points or more per game, led by freshman Issac Williamson leading the way averaging 17 points and a blistering 46.7 percent from three.
Junior Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is right behind with 16.2 points per game while playing in all five games. Inside it has been freshman Tryin Jones off the bench. The freshman has averaged 6.8 rebounds per game with nearly half of his boards coming on the offensive end. For a Maryland team that has struggled to rebound, Jones will likely have a big role on Tuesday night.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
While Maryland’s matchup against UNLV looks favorable, Tuesday night against No. 12 Gonzaga might be its toughest test all season long.
The Bulldogs are 5-0 and rank third in Kenpom rankings behind only Duke and Purdue. They have beaten every opponent by double digits — including a ranked Creighton team by 27.
Gonzaga also ranks third in the nation in scoring marin, anchored by its depth.
Five players average double figures, with seven averaging more than eight points per game. Graduate Graham Ike leads the way with 17 points per game and a team high 9.2 rebounds — an area where the Bulldogs have a massive advantage.
Gonzaga ranks 12th in the nation in rebounds per game and rebounding margin, while Maryland ranks below 200th in both. Williams has harped about the Terps rebounding all year, calling the team “beyond bad at it” after their win against Marquette. Maryland will need to improve on the glass to stay competitive on Tuesday, and need reinforcements back.
With question marks surrounding the status of three of the Terps’ top players — Pharrel Payne, Myles Rice, and Solomon Washington — Maryland is at a serious disadvantage. Gonzaga offers Maryland its toughest non-conference test in years. The Terps will need at least two of their three projected starters out to have a chance.
