2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament: Day 1 Preview

The 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament tips off on Wednesday, March 12 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Here's the preview for the two opening round games: Rutgers vs. Maryland and Penn State vs. Michigan.

The first day of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament is finally upon us. Wednesday night, things get underway in Minneapolis, with Rutgers and Maryland tipping off the event. A matchup between Michigan and Penn State will conclude opening-round action from the Target Center.

All four teams are battling to keep their seasons alive. Making run in the Big Ten Tournament is a tough task, and starting on Day 1 makes life even more difficult. But it all starts by trying to get that first win.

Action begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Both games will air on Peacock. 

You can see the complete 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament bracket here.

No. 13 Rutgers vs. No. 12 Maryland

• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Peacock
• Game: No. 1

Preview

• Rutgers record: 15-16 (7-13 in Big Ten)
• Maryland record: 15-16 (7-13 in Big Ten)
• Regular season meeting(s): Rutgers def. Maryland 56-53 on Feb. 6; Maryland def. Rutgers 63-46.

There's no sugar-coating this, Maryland-Rutgers is a battle of two teams that have really struggled to shoot the basketball this season. The Scarlet Knights are shooting at 39.2% on the year. The Terrapins aren't much better, hitting at a 41.3% rate. Both teams are under 29% from behind the 3-point line.

Maryland and Rutgers split the regular season series, with both teams losing on their home court. That should set up an interesting scenario in Minneapolis, right? Both teams also enter Wednesday's game on three-game losing streaks. 

Rutgers players to watch

• Cliff Omoruyi, senior: During his career, Omoruyi has become well known for his excellence on the defensive end and his ability to rebound. He was a Big Ten All-Defensive Team selection after averaging 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game on the year. The 6-foot-11 senior can also score on the interior, averaging 10.7 points per game.
• Jeremiah Williams, junior: Williams played in just 11 games for the the Scarlet Knights this season because of injury and NCAA eligibility tie-ups, but in his short time on the floor he's emerged as Rutgers' top scorer, averaging 12.6 points per game. He's reached a double-digit scoring total eight times and is shooting better than 46% from the floor.
• Aundre Hyatt, senior: Rutgers doesn't have many threats on the perimeter, but Hyatt is one of the few, hitting on 31% of his shots from long range. That's not a great mark, but it's one of the higher percentages based on his volume. Hyatt is averaging 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Maryland players to watch

• Jahmir Young, senior: Because he played for a team that finished under .500, Young didn't really get the credit he deserves. The senior is one of the top players in the Big Ten, averaging 20.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He's lethal when he gets to his left hand and does an excellent job at getting to the basket. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection for a reason.
• DeShawn Harris-Smith, freshman: Harris-Smith has been an excellent freshman addition for the Terrapins this season. He was named to the conference's All-Freshman team after averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He's show flashes of high-volume scoring ability, dropping 17 on Iowa in a win back in February.
• Julian Reese, junior: The 6-foot-9 junior has provided Maryland with a nice interior presence this season, nearly averaging a double-double with 13.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest. Reese ended the year with 15 double-doubles. He's really difficult to account for on both ends of the floor.

No. 14 Michigan vs. No. 11 Penn State

• Time: 25 minutes after Game 1
• TV: Peacock
• Game: No. 2

Preview

• Michigan record: 8-23 (3-17 in Big Ten)
• Penn State record: 15-16 (9-11 in Big Ten)
• Regular season meeting(s): Penn State def. Michigan 79-73 on Jan. 7.

Penn State has been on a roller coaster this season. It has pulled off upsets over Wisconsin and Illinois this year, but also struggled to find any level of consistency. This is a really good team, especially when it implements the full-court press. It helps having Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin on the floor.

It's been a different story for Michigan, which has just spiraled out of control since the start of the season. The Wolverines currently take an eight-game losing streak into the Big Ten Tournament and are just hoping to end the season with something positive to talk about after a nightmarish year. 

Michigan players to watch

• Dug McDaniel, sophomore: McDaniel has been a big-time scorer and distributor for Michigan this season. He's averaged 16.6 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting better than 41% from the floor. He has reached double figures in each of his last 11 games and has 33 points in two different games this season.
• Terrence Williams II, senior: Williams has been a solid 3-point threat for the Wolverines this year, shooting at a 40% clip on the season. He's also just one of two active players scoring in double digits, averaging 12.3 points per contest.
• Tarris Reed Jr., sophomore: The 6-foot-10 sophomore provides Michigan with a decent presence on the inside, but he's still a work in progress. He's averaging 8.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. The forward has recorded three double-doubles on the year.

Penn State players to watch

• Ace Baldwin Jr., senior: Without question, Baldwin has been the best player for Penn State this year. The senior was also tabbed as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts on that end of the floor. Coach Mike Rhoades raves about Baldwin's unselfishness and desire to win, both great qualities. He's averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
• Qudus Wahab, senior: Wahab is one of the top rebounders in the Big Ten this season, averaging 7.7 per game. He also ranks as the second-best scorer for the Nittany Lions at 9.8 points per contest. Wahab saved his best performance of the season for the final game, scoring 19 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking two shots in a win over Maryland.
• Nick Kern Jr.: There have been issues with consistency from Kern this season, but he's capable of putting the ball in the basket. He's shooting at a 55.5% clip on the year and averaging 8.8 points. His length has also helped the Nittany Lions on the defensive end, as well.