Maryland had its six-game winning streak snapped last time out and it will be interesting to see the spread against Michigan. The Terrapins have the superior record but the Wolverines get this one at home, so it could be a competitive showdown. Maryland seems to be on its way to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament but needs to keep winning now that the schedule has gotten considerably tougher.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 3:15 p.m. ET at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Michigan is 10-4 straight up but only 4-7 against the spread on the season. The Wolverines have played six home games thus far and have covered in two of them. They will aim to improve on that mark against Maryland. Michigan has only covered in two of its eight games as the favorite this season, while it has covered once in two tries as the underdog.
Maryland is 13-2 straight up and 7-7 against the spread this year. The Terrapins have only played one true road game but were able to cover in it. Maryland is 4-7 against the spread as the favorite on the season and has fared much better as the underdog, covering in all three attempts.
It will be interesting to see how the spread shakes out in this one as it could be only a few points in one direction or the other.
Player to Watch
Zak Irvin - Michigan is led by its senior guard. He is averaging 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. Irvin is shooting 44.6 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range.
He has averaged in double figures in each of the past three years and hopes to wrap up his career with another berth in March Madness. Michigan will need to play well down the stretch in order to make it to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and a home win against a solid opponent would be helpful when the selection committee makes its decision.
Injury Report
Maryland may be without centers Michael Cekovsky and Damonte Dodd in this one. Cekovsky has an ankle injury while Dodd has been out for a while with a knee ailment.
Cekovsky is averaging 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 rebounds per game in his nine contests, and really stepped up when his minutes increased following Dodd’s injury. However, Maryland may now need to go deeper into its bench if both big men are out.
Dodd is averaging 5.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per contest but has only participated in eight games. Despite those absence, Maryland still has a strong roster.
Melo Trimble is the team leader, as he is averaging 17.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Trimble is shooting 47.6 percent from the field and has enough experience to play well in big spots and hostile environments.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Maryland played well enough in the non-conference slate to get some buzz around it but lost some luster after the loss to Nebraska. Michigan is usually near the top of the pack and has enough talent to get there again this year if it can start to click.
The home court advantage is a key for the Wolverines, but this Maryland team looks to be a Big Ten contender. The Terrapins will shake off the early loss to the Cornhuskers by pulling out an impressive road victory over the Wolverines in this matchup.
College Basketball Odds: Maryland 74, Michigan 72
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