The Maryland Terrapins have been one of the most impressive teams in the Big Ten this season and will aim to keep that rolling this week. Maryland is looking to stay atop the conference when it faces off with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Maryland has won six consecutive games entering this one and should be the favorite, although the Buckeyes do this get this game at home. Ohio State is running out of time to make a play for an NCAA men’s tournament berth, and this would be a critical upset if it can pull it off.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State is 13-9 straight up and 8-12 against the spread. The Buckeyes have been better at home than on the road, covering in half of their 12 games in Columbus. Ohio State is 3-4 against the spread as the underdog.
Maryland is 19-2 straight up and 13-7 against the spread. The Terrapins have been great on the road this season, covering all five of those games. Maryland is 8-0 against the spread as an underdog this season, but will likely be the favorite, in which it has covered in five of 12 attempts.
Player to Watch
Melo Trimble - Maryland is led by its star junior guard. Trimble is averaging 17.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists on the season. He has averaged at least 14.8 points per game in each of his three seasons with the Terrapins, and is used to carrying the load offensively.
Trimble is shooting 45.5 percent from the field, which is on pace to set a career-high. If he can be efficient from the floor, that will be a big help for the Terrapins. Trimble had a nice all-around showing last time out, putting up 13 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in a win over Minnesota.
Key Stat
Four. At 13-9, that’s the number of games over .500 Ohio State sits with 10 games remaining in the regular season. The Buckeyes are a perennial March Madness entrant but that is in jeopardy this year.
Ohio State is only 3-6 in conference and needs to stack up not only wins but those that will turn the heads of the selection committee. This is a great chance, as the Buckeyes are at home against a top-25 foe.
Ohio State has lost two of its past three games and has never gotten in a rhythm this year. It seems unlikely that Ohio State is going to make it into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and a loss here will further that belief as the season winds to a close.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Maryland is tied with Wisconsin at 7-1 in the Big Ten, while surprising Northwestern sits only a half-game back. The Terrapins are a shoo-in for March Madness because of their record, but they would love to capture the conference before they get there.
The Terrapins have not played a ranked team yet, which is why they aren’t ranked in the top-10, but they hope to keep collecting wins and moving up the ladder. Ohio State will be desperate to get a win, and this one may be closer than some think.
The home court advantage is key, as the Buckeyes should put together an inspired effort. However, the Terrapins are playing well and should be able to squeak out a victory. However, the spread will be the key number as the Buckeyes may be able to cover this one.
College Basketball Odds: Maryland 73, Ohio State 70
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