Big Ten schedule is home-heavy to start

First two conference games, three of first four will be at Xfinity Center

The Maryland men’s basketball team knew it had a favorable rotation of Big Ten games compared with its first two years in the conference.

On Thursday, the Terps found out it begins even better than expected.

Maryland, which has to replace all its starters from last year’s 27-9 Sweet16 team except junior point guard Melo Trimble, will play its first two Big Ten games and three of its first four at Xfinity Center.

The Terps open with home games Dec. 27 against Illinois and Jan. 1 against Nebraska. After a road trip Jan. 7 to Michigan, Maryland plays Indiana at home Jan. 10.

Maryland faces the Hoosiers only once this season. The Terps also have their only meetings with Purdue (Feb. 4) and Michigan State (March 5) in College Park. Maryland plays Nebraska only once.

Conversely, the Terps play against Wisconsin once, in Madison on Feb. 19. The other teams Maryland faces on the road without a return trip are Penn State (Feb. 7) and Northwestern (Feb. 15).

Maryland will play home-and-away series against Illinois, Iowa, Rutgers, Minnesota and Ohio State.

In 2014-15, the Terps opened with three of their first four Big Ten games on the road but managed to finish 14-4 overall, second behind Wisconsin. Last season, Maryland played three of its first five on the road and finished 12-6, tied for third. The Terps faced Michigan State and Indiana only on the road.

Big Ten schedule

Date Dec. 27 Jan. 1 Jan. 7 Jan. 10 Jan. 14 Jan. 19 Jan. 24 Jan. 28 Jan. 31 Feb. 4 Feb. 7 Feb. 11 Feb. 15 Feb. 19 Feb. 22 Feb. 25 Feb. 28 March 5 Opponent vs. Illinois vs. Nebraska at Michigan vs. Indiana at Illinois at Iowa vs. Rutgers at Minnesota at Ohio State vs. Purdue at Penn State vs Ohio State at Northwestern at Wisconsin vs. Minnesota vs. Iowa at Rutgers vs. Michigan State

“It is a highly competitive schedule, which includes a Big Ten Conference slate that is always tough,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said in a news release. “We are appreciative of the support and enthusiasm from our fans during our first two seasons in the Big Ten. They have played an instrumental role in our 34-2 record at Xfinity Center during that span.”

Maryland opens the season with an exhibition against Catawba on Nov. 5 and plays its first official game against American on Nov. 11. The highlights of the nonconference schedule are matchups against Georgetown at Verizon Center in Washington on Nov. 15 and against Pittsburgh at Xfinity Center on Nov. 29.

The Terps will play for the second straight year in Baltimore, where they face Charlotte at Royal Farms Arena on Dec. 20. The Big Ten tournament will be at Verizon Center.