A hot start has the Maryland Terrapins on the cusp of the national rankings, and another undefeated week could be enough to get them there. Maryland needs to take care of business against the Charlotte 49ers and they will certainly be favored to win easily.
The Terrapins are going to get challenged by the likes of Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin and others in conference play, and want to enter on a hot streak. Maryland can push its winning streak to five games by knocking off the 49ers in this one.
At 7 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN2 for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at Royal Farms Arena.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Tuesday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Maryland is 11-1 straight up and 5-6 against the spread on the season. The Terrapins have covered in all three of their attempts as an underdog, but will be giving points in this one. Maryland hasn’t done as well as the favorite, covering only twice in eight tries.
Charlotte is 6-4 straight up this season and 3-4-1 against the spread. The 49ers have been the underdog four times this season and have only covered once.
The scoring total is something to watch. Charlotte and Maryland have both consistently finished “under” this season so consider that when the over-under is established.
Player to Watch
Melo Trimble - The best player on the court will be the Maryland junior guard. He was a star from the minute he stepped on the court in college and Trimble has upped his game this year.
He is averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game with 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Trimble is shooting 46.6 percent from the field this season, which is a career-best.
Trimble scored 23 points last time out in a victory over Jacksonville State, hitting four-of-five from three-point range. If his long-range shooting is accurate in this one he should have another big game. Tremble has only scored in single digits twice this season and he will likely lead the team in this one.
Injury Update
The Terrapins have been without forward Damonte Dodd for the past three games due to an MCL sprain. This was expected to be around the time he returned, so check in to see if Dodd will be available.
He is one of the team’s key players, as Dodd averaged 5.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in seven games this season. He is one of the team’s key defenders in the post and whenever Dodd can return to action will be a big help to the Terrapins.
But even if he doesn’t play in this one, Maryland has the talent to emerge victorious.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Maryland’s lone loss this season came to the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Terrapins have been close to losing a few other times but have pulled out one-point victories over the Georgetown Hoyas, the Kansas State Wildcats and Oklahoma State Cowboys.
In that respect, Maryland may not be quite as good as its record would suggest, but nonetheless it will be the favorite in this one. The 49ers are scoring 80 points per game this season but are also allowing 79, so this one could be high-scoring.
Charlotte is led by Jon Davis, who averages 20.2 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field.
The 49ers would love to pull this upset, but they are not too strong defensively and Trimble could be in line for a big showing. The Terrapins should be able to win this one which could help them jump into the national rankings heading into conference action.
College Basketball Odds: Maryland 86, Charlotte 72
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