CHICAGO — Maybe it was the familiar surroundings of the Big Ten Conference tournament, where Evan Smotrycz had played during his first two college seasons at Michigan. More likely, it was just a matter of finally getting healthy.
While still bothered by nagging knee and back problems, Smotrycz looked more confident and comfortable in second-seeded Maryland's 75-69 victory over seventh-seeded Indiana in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament quarterfinals at United Center.
Smotrycz's contribution of eight points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist, including four straight free throws at crunch time, was his most significant in weeks.
Given the competition and the consequences, it a hugely important and satisfying performance for the 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward, who missed a month early in the season with a broken foot and also had a hairline fracture of the right thumb.
"Just my body, I feel really good right now," Smotrycz said afterward as he sat in an ice bath in the Maryland locker room. "I've been having trouble with my back and my knee, but right now, it's feeling really good. … I think it gives me confidence to move the way I want and do what I want to do."
After struggling with injuries and confidence down the stretch, Smotrycz got off to a good start against the Hoosiers. He hit his first field goal — a 3-pointer that was his first in five games, ending a streak of eight misses — to give the Terps a 14-13 lead, after which Maryland never trailed.
Asked whether the Big Ten tournament marked a new start to the season, Smotrycz smiled.
"Everything kind of goes out the window. This is kind of what matters," said Smotrycz, who has gone from averaging 11 points and six rebounds a game as a starter to a reserve who posts a little over four points and four rebounds as a senior.
Smotrycz also was thrust into more time at center Friday after freshman Michal Cekovsky came down with a stomach ailment Thursday. (Cekovsky is expected to return for Saturday's game against third-seeded Michigan State.)
As he has in many games recently, Smotrycz also made a contribution defensively, helping the Terps cut off Indiana's drives to the rim in the second half and forcing the Hoosiers to heave 3-pointer after 3-pointer as the game drifted away from them.
Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said it was "great" to get the contribution that the Terps did from Smotrycz.
"Evan hurt his knee in the Wisconsin game and hasn't felt comfortable since then," Turgeon said. "He had his best practice of the year on Wednesday. It was good to see. He's making better decisions, he's not forcing things. I thought defensively, he was very good. He played smart. It's important for us. It gives us more versatility."
Guard Richaud Pack, who like Smotrycz transferred in to Maryland, said his fellow senior had shown signs lately of breaking out of a prolonged shooting slump. After Friday, Smotrycz has missed 16 of his past 17 shots, dropping his shooting percentage to 30.6 percent overall and 24.5 percent on 3-pointers, both career lows.
"He's been knocking them down" in practice, Pack said. "Just getting back to being himself."
Pack said that's hugely important for both Smotrycz and the Terps heading toward the NCAA tournament.
"He was great tonight," Pack said. "Creating shots, making shots, making free throws, rebounds, being in the right defensive position, he's always in the right spot. Blocked shots. He did everything for us tonight."