Game Preview: Maryland Terrapins vs Cincinnati Bearcats

#21 Maryland Terrapins (4-0) vs Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0)

The Cincinnati Bearcats will tip off against No. 21 Maryland, in the semifinals of the EA Sports Maui Invitational tonight.

This is the fourth meeting between Maryland and Cincinnati and the first since the Terps won 74-72 in 1995.

Forward Yancy Gates scored 12 points in Cincinnati’s 67-58 victory over No. 24 Vanderbilt on Monday in the first round. Gates finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while reserve Dion Dixon added 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Bearcats out rebounded the Commodores 53-32. The Bearcats were 27 of 68 (39.7 percent) for the game, including 3 of 15 from 3-point range. Cincinnati was looking for a big defensive game since they’ve shot below 40 percent in two of their first three games, and they held the Commodores to 27.5 percent shooting.

Sophomore Sean Mosley scored 19 points, leading the Terrapins to a 79-51win over the hosts of the tournament — Division II Chaminade, on Monday night. Mosley also dominated the boards, pulling down eight rebounds. Senior Greives Vasquez, who averaged a career-high 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 2008, has gotten off to a slow start this season. After scoring a total of 24 points on 30.3 percent shooting in Maryland’s first three games, Vasquez was unable to break out against Chaminade, and finished with just six points on 2 of 7 from the field and five assists. The lack of contribution from Vasquez has yet to hurt Maryland, which has three players averaging 12.8 points per game or better.

The odds makers currently have Maryland as–3 ½ -point favorites.

This will be a tight contest as the odds gods have indicated with the Terps coming through with a big second half and the win.

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