Big Ten hoops: Maryland tops Rutgers; Illinois gets by Northwestern

Big Ten fans were treated to two outstanding men's basketball games on Wednesday night.

Maryland kicked off the action with a 73-65 victory over Rutgers in a battle of Big Ten newcomers.

Kendrick Nunn and the Fighting Illini followed that with an impressive 72-67 win over Northwestern on the road.

Check out tonight's scores using our Big Ten men's basketball scoreboard.

Catch up on scores, stats, recaps and video highlights below.

MARYLAND 73, RUTGERS 65: BOX | PBP | RECAP
Dez Wells scored 17 points, Jake Layman had a career-high 13 rebounds and No. 14 Maryland used a late surge to beat Rutgers 73-65 on Wednesday night in a duel between Big Ten newcomers.

ILLINOIS 72, NORTHWESTERN 67: BOX | PBP | RECAP
Kendrick Nunn had a career-high 25 points, including four straight free throws in the final 7.5 seconds, and Illinois held off Northwestern for a 72-67 victory on Wednesday night.