Terps’ J. Smith, Austin earn Big Ten honors
For the second time this season, Maryland men’s basketball forward Jalen Smith ( Mount Saint Joseph) was named Monday as the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week. Smith scored a career-high 20 points, to go along with eight rebounds and two blocks, in a 94-71 win over Loyola Maryland last Tuesday. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound freshman — known to most as “Stix” because of his skinny build — is one of three early-season candidates for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Smith’s two weekly awards equal the number earned by Indiana guard Romeo Langford, who was the league’s unanimous preseason Freshman of the Year, as well as Michigan forward Ignas Brazdeikas. Smith is averaging 11.7 points — third on the Terps behind junior guard Anthony Cowan Jr. and sophomore center Bruno Fernando — and is also second behind Fernando in rebounds with 7.1.
MORE MEN: Stanley Davis scored 14 points to lead host Morgan State (5-5) to an 85-78 win over Division II Wilmington (Del.) University. ... Towson junior guard Brian Fobbs was named Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week. Fobbs scored a career-high 32 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in double overtime, in Towson’s 80-76 road victory at UMBC last Tuesday.
WOMEN: Shakira Austin of No. 5 Maryland (10-0) earned her third weekly honor of the season, voted Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week along with Michigan’s Naz Hillmon. Austin posted her fourth double double of the year against Loyola Maryland last Monday, shooting 8-for-12 from the field for 17 points with 13 rebounds and a block. The Terps play at Delaware (3-6) on Thursday at 3 p.m. 2019 season at Audi Field against Major League Soccer Cup champion Atlanta United on March 3. The league is aiming to finalize and announce the home openers for all 24 teams this week and unveil the entire schedule in January. ESPN or Fox Sports would seem certain to carry the high-profile match. MLS did not respond to a message seeking comment. D.C. and Atlanta spokesmen said their respective organizations did not want to comment. D.C. has not faced the reigning champion in the season opener since 2004 (San Jose). MLS training camps will open on or around Jan. 21. D.C. will return most starters, while Atlanta will need to hire a coach after Gerardo Martino’s departure; he is pegged to become the Mexican national team boss.