The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team split the season series with Maryland the first three times they were assigned to play twice in the Big Ten Conference regular season.
The Badgers need to avoid the same fate with Wednesday's game being the second between the teams this season to salvage something from a three-day road trip.
UW plays the Terrapins in a quick turnaround after Monday's 66-63 loss at Northwestern, its fourth defeat in the last five games. The Badgers arrived in Maryland in the early morning hours of Tuesday, with no scouting report on Maryland given to the players until later in the day.
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It helps, coach Greg Gard said, that they've already faced the Terrapins this season, a 64-59 UW victory to open the Big Ten schedule on Dec. 6.
In 2015-16, 2018-19 and 2020-21, the team that won the first game of the season series lost the second.
Here's what to know about Wednesday's game, both teams' projected starting lineups and three things to watch.
The basics
What: Wisconsin (12-6, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Maryland (12-7, 3-5)
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Xfinity Center, College Park, Maryland
TV: Big Ten Network with Brandon Gaudin and Stephen Bardo
Radio: 1310 AM and 101.5 FM with Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas
Last meeting: The Badgers handed the Terrapins, then ranked 13th, their first loss of the season to open Big Ten play, a 64-59 decision at the Kohl Center on Dec. 6. Chucky Hepburn led UW with 13 points.
Wisconsin
Fast fact: The Badgers are last in the Big Ten in free-throw percentage in conference games at 58.2% (64 of 110).
Coach: Greg Gard, 156-84, in his eighth season at UW
Probable starters
| Player | Height | Weight | Year | Position | PPG |
| Steven Crowl | 7-0 | 245 | Jr. | Center | 12.7 |
| Connor Essegian | 6-4 | 185 | Fr. | Guard | 10.4 |
| Chucky Hepburn | 6-2 | 205 | So. | Guard | 12.7 |
| Tyler Wahl | 6-9 | 225 | Sr. | Forward | 12.8 |
| Jordan Davis | 6-4 | 200 | Jr. | Guard | 6.6 |
Key rotational players
| Player | Height | Weight | Year | Position | PPG |
| Isaac Lindsey | 6-4 | 185 | So. | Guard | 1.5 |
| Carter Gilmore | 6-7 | 225 | Jr. | Forward | 3.2 |
| Markus Ilver | 6-8 | 215 | So. | Forward | 1.9 |
| Kamari McGee | 6-0 | 180 | So. | Guard | 0.7 |
Player to watch: Essegian is 7 of 18 in two games as a starter, with 10 points scored against both Penn State and Northwestern.
Maryland
Fast fact: The Terrapins held No. 1 Purdue to a season low in scoring on Sunday but missed their last seven shots from the field in a 58-55 loss.
Coach: Kevin Willard, 12-7 in his first season at Maryland, 282-217 in his 16th season overall
Probable starters
| Player | Height | Weight | Year | Position | PPG |
| Julian Reese | 6-9 | 230 | So. | Forward | 10.3 |
| Hakim Hart | 6-8 | 205 | Sr. | Guard | 11.5 |
| Jahmir Young | 6-1 | 185 | Gr. | Guard | 15.5 |
| Donta Scott | 6-8 | 230 | Sr. | Forward | 11.8 |
| Don Carey | 6-5 | 187 | Gr. | Guard | 7.2 |
Key rotational players
| Player | Height | Weight | Year | Position | PPG |
| Ian Martinez | 6-3 | 185 | Jr. | Guard | 6.1 |
| Jahari Long | 6-5 | 200 | Jr. | Guard | 3.0 |
| Patrick Emilien | 6-7 | 210 | Gr. | Forward | 2.3 |
| Caelum Swanton-Rodger | 6-11 | 220 | Fr. | Center | 0.9 |
Player to watch: Young, a transfer from Charlotte, is one of 12 active players with at least 1,500 career points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.
3 things to watch
No Klesmit
Max Klesmit wasn't with the Badgers on the first leg of the multi-city trip, and he missed his first game of the season against Northwestern because of a head injury. Gard said it was "more than likely" that Klesmit wouldn't join the team in Maryland.
"It takes a pretty good defender and experienced defender in terms of college basketball out," Gard said. "You're down one more guy on your bench."
Gard complimented McGee's 6.5 minutes of playing time in place of Hepburn on Monday, particularly on defense. The Badgers outscored the Wildcats by five with McGee on the court.
Big minutes for starters
Monday's game was the first time this season that all five Badgers starters played at least 32 minutes. Four players combined for 26:38 off the bench, just 13% of the playing time.
That's a result of Klesmit's injury and Davis going back into the starting lineup. Davis (37:35) and Essegian (34:53) set career highs for playing time.
Terps tough at home
Maryland has won all three of its Big Ten home games. It's the road games (0-5) that have been problematic for the Terrapins.
They haven't reached 60 points in four of their five road losses and they scored 71, 80 and 64 in home victories against Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan. They're shooting 44% at home in conference games and 38% on the road.
A 4-6 Big Ten home record last season contributed to Maryland finishing 7-13 and tied for 10th place in its final season under coach Danny Manning.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl fights for the rebound against Maryland forwards Julian Reese, left, and Donta Scott Dec. 6, 2022 at the Kohl Center.
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball loses at Northwestern
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl, top, goes up to shoot against Northwestern guard Boo Buie, left, guard Ty Berry (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl, left, shoots as Northwestern guard Boo Buie (0) and center Matthew Nicholson, back right, defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn, right, shoots against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer, center, drives to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern guard Chase Audige, right, shoots over Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin guard Jordan Davis, right, reaches for a steal against Northwestern guard Boo Buie Monday at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.
Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, left, celebrates with guard Brooks Barnhizer after they defeated Wisconsin in an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard, center, reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern guard Boo Buie, center, drives to the basket against Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl, left, and forward Steven Crowl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern guard Boo Buie, left, drives to the basket against Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl, left, looks to pass the ball as Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl, left, goes up to dunk against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern forward Robbie Beran, right, drives against Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
A fan, center, wears a face mask as he watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Wisconsin and Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, center, yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern forward Robbie Beran, left, and center Matthew Nicholson, right, guard against Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern guard Julian Roper II. celebrates after a three-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn, left, drives to the basket against Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern forward Robbie Beran, left, drives to the basket past Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Todd D. Milewski | Wisconsin State Journal
Todd D. Milewski covers Wisconsin Badgers hockey and the UW Athletic Department for the Wisconsin State Journal.
