Both of Maryland’s losses in its last 12 games were decided by three points or fewer.

Maryland’s success has been fueled by its starting lineup, dubbed the “Crab Five.” Freshman center Drik Queen, junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, senior forward Julian Reese, sophomore guard Rodney Rice and fifth-year guard Selton Miguel have developed strong chemistry, propelling Maryland to fourth in the Big Ten standings.

Each starter averages at least 11 points per game, led by Queen with 16. All five play around 28 minutes per game and over 30 in conference play. Queen and Reese combine for 18.4 rebounds, while Gillespie leads the team with 4.8 assists per game.

Maryland’s starters account for nearly 71 of the team’s Big Ten-leading 83.7 points per game. The Terrapins shoot 48.8% from the field and 37.5% from three, both second in the conference.

“This might be the best starting five in the league,” MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said at media availability. “Our depth should help us, but their talent is at a high level.”

Maryland’s only game last week, an 88-71 win over USC, was powered by the Crab Five, who have all scored in double figures in the last three games. The starters contributed 263 of the team’s 272 points in that stretch.

MSU takes a different approach, relying on depth and frequent lineup changes. No Spartan averages more than 27 minutes per game and only two — senior guard Jaden Akins and freshman Jase Richardson — average double figures.

MSU is navigating a grueling schedule, playing three games in nine days against top Big Ten teams. The Spartans face No. 11 Wisconsin at home, travel to Iowa, and host No. 15 Michigan in their regular-season finale.

MSU played Illinois, Purdue and Michigan with just three days between each game but had four days to prepare for Maryland. The tight schedule led to some fatigue, prompting Izzo to give the team Saturday off. He credited players for managing substitutions well, which has contributed to strong second-half performances.

“We don’t seem to be burned out and we don’t seem to be fatigued,” Izzo said. “We seem to be getting stronger down the stretch and at the end of games.”

Izzo emphasized limiting turnovers in key moments and maintaining rebounding efficiency as keys to beating Maryland.

MSU holds a slight rebounding edge over Maryland (40-37) but averages one more turnover per game. Against Michigan, the Spartans committed just two second-half turnovers while forcing 10, fueling a 41-24 scoring advantage after halftime.

“I still think it’ll come down to us not turning it over,” Izzo said. “If you do something wrong, you need to correct it. And if you do something right, you need to build on it.”

MSU and Maryland tip off Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. on FOX.