The big matchup on the East Coast today comes when No. 11 Maryland Terrapins take on the No. 13 Michigan Wolverines with the regular season title on the line for the Western division. Both teams played Friday night and cruised to victory as Michigan defeated the George Washington Colonials 16-4 while Maryland defeated Salem International 21, plus Michigan has already played Saturday morning. and defeated the Bucknell Bison 12-7.
Maryland is hosting Michigan in the 1 p.m. ET start, and can be seen online for this key matchup for free. The scenarios have already been presented on how the Western division title can be won. Maryland controls their own destiny and if they defeat Michigan they will be crowned the Western division champion.
These two teams have not met since April 30, 2011 which was in the Eastern Championship semifinals where Michigan won 11-6.
Even though both teams can light up the scoreboard expect this game to be a defensive battle where the winning team will likely get to maybe eight or nine goals. In Maryland's has won 10 of their last 11 games and have averaged 12.8 goals per game while allowing less than 10.
While Michigan has won 11 of their last 12 games and has averaged 12.58 goals per game and given up only 5.08 per game. Michigan likes to get up and down the pool and their scores reflect that, but Maryland has a stout defense and will need to not allow Michigan to get any easy goals.
My prediction is that Maryland wins 7-6 with the home crowd being the edge.
So, if you are at this game or watching online drop by and comment on the game. Also, for updates from those at the game follow @UMichWaterPolo and @MarylandH2OPolo.