Maryland Sportsbook
Maryland defeated Nebraska, 79-71, in its most recent game on Feb. Northwestern lost to then-No. 3 Michigan, 71-64, in its most recent game on Feb. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!
Two teams that are mired in the lower half of the Big Ten standings look to make a move toward a higher tier when Maryland travels to Penn State for a Friday night game. The Terrapins are coming off an upset of No. 24 Purdue, winning 61-60 in College Park on Tuesday. The win ended a string of two losses in three games and improved Maryland to 10-8, 4-7 in the Big Ten, good for a tie for ninth in basketball’s toughest conference. Let’s see their NCAAB odds.
Feb 05, 2021 Maryland Terrapins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Free College Basketball Big Ten picks, odds, predictions and preview. Sorry you cannot access this sportsbook due to state restrictions. DraftKings gives away over $1,000 worth of welcome bonuses with its $1,000 deposit match and $50 free bet on its Sportsbook. Both of these bonuses can be used. The Maryland Terrapins (14-10, 8-9 Big Ten) host the Michigan State Spartans (13-9, 7-9) Sunday for a conference showdown at Xfinity Center.Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Below, we analyze the Michigan State-Maryland odds and lines, with NCAA college basketball picks and predictions.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Thursday, February 5, 2021 – 7:00 PM ET at the Bryce Jordan Center
Penn State lost by 16 at Wisconsin on Tuesday, the second loss in three outings for the Nittany Lions. Penn State also had a five-game losing streak earlier in the year with a two and a half week COVID shutdown sandwiched in the middle. The Nittany Lions sit at 6-8 on the year, 3-7 in the Big Ten, a half game behind Maryland in 11th place.
The game starts a string of three straight winnable outings for the Nits. Following Maryland, they play Michigan State and Nebraska. So a chance to get back to .500 by Valentine’s Day is on the table.
Building on Big Game Momentum
Maryland’s win over Purdue was its fourth over a ranked team this season.
“I think guys are gaining confidence because of it,” coach Mark Turgeon said of the upsets, “and I think they’re enjoying it a little bit more because they’re having fun playing.”
Like Penn State’s, the Maryland schedule is making a turn toward the favorable with this game. Maryland has played eight ranked teams in its last 10 games, but No. 7 Ohio State is the only ranked foe remaining on the regular season schedule.
The Big Ten is a big man league this year, as just about every team Maryland plays has had a significant size advantage. The Terps don’t have anyone over 6-foot-9 who plays significant minutes in the rotation and frequently goes with five perimeter players to try to move the game outside, away from their disadvantage in the post.
This game will give the Terps the rare chance to go toe-to-toe with a conference opponent. Penn State also doesn’t have a regular taller than 6-foot-9 on the roster.
The Terps are led by 6-foot-6 wing Aaron Wiggins and 6-foot-7 Donta Scott. Wiggins is scoring 12.8 ppg with 5.4 rebounds, while Scott is at 12.7 ppg and 6.6 rebounds. Scott is also lighting it out from outside, hitting on 45.7 percent of threes to lead Maryland. Jairus Hamilton is also hitting over 40 percent on threes.
Size Advantage for Penn State
Maryland Sportsbook Gambling
Instead of trying to figure out how to compensate for a size disadvantage, the Nittany Lions are in the unusual position of trying to take advantage of it. At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, John Harrar will look to establish himself in the post, while also trying to guard Maryland’s wing forwards.
Harrar has flirted with double-doubles all season, averaging 8.6 ppg and 8.1 rebounds. He’s scored in double figures in his last three games, averaging 14.0 ppg, and he has three double-digit rebounding outings in his last five.
Penn State’s guards will keep Maryland from collapsing on Harrar. Myreon Jones and Izaiah Brockington, both juniors, are each in the top 12 in the Big Ten in scoring. Jones is at 15.6 ppg and has scored in double figures in all but one game. Brockington is at 14.7 ppg.
The Pick
The game could be decided at the three-point arc. With Penn State having at least some type of inside threat in Harrar, it will help keep Maryland honest on defense. In other Big Ten games, the Terps have struggled at defending the three. Maryland ranks No. 251 in the nation in opponent’s three-point percentage, at 35.5. That plays right into the hands of Penn State, who hits 35.8 percent.
The Nittany Lions have struggled to defend the two, but, without a Luka Garza or Kofi Cockburn to defend inside, Penn State should find that task significantly easier on Friday night. For your best bets, look for the Nits to pull away at home.
NCAAB Pick: Penn State -3.5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
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The Maryland Terrapins (14-10, 8-9 Big Ten) host the Michigan State Spartans (13-9, 7-9) Sunday for a conference showdown at Xfinity Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Michigan State-Maryland odds and lines, with NCAA college basketball picks and predictions.
Michigan State at Maryland: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
Money line: Michigan State +120 (bet $100 to win $120) Maryland -145 (bet $145 to win $100)Maryland Online Sportsbook
Against the spread/ATS: Michigan State +2.5 (-105) Maryland -2.5 (-115)Over/Under: 133.5 (O: -110 U: -110)Michigan State at Maryland: Three things to know
Michigan State has gotten on track in hopes of making an NCAA tournament push by winning three straight Big Ten games, each as an underdog. The stretch includes a road win at Indiana, then two wins over No. 4 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State.Maryland is on a four-game winning streak, each against a Big Ten opponent, but two of those wins were against a Nebraska team that has just one conference win this season.The Spartans have won four of their last five meetings with the Terrapins, including a 78-66 win last season. They are 3-1-1 ATS in those games.Special College Basketball Betting Promotion!
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Michigan State at Maryland: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Money line (ML)
While the Spartans are playing their best basketball of the season heading into this one—beating two top-5 teams earlier this week—Michigan State is still 36 spots behind Maryland in NET rankings and has a lower winning percentage against Quad 1 teams.
Also, the Terrapins are well-rested entering today since their previous game was last Sunday and the Spartans have played twice this week. Maryland is 7-1 straight up in games where it has a rest advantage.
Finally, it’s been profitable this season fading Michigan State in road games and backing Maryland in home games. The Spartans are 3-6 away from home and the Terrapins are 9-1 as a home favorite this season.
TAKE MARYLAND (-145) for 1 unit.
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the spread unless Maryland’s money line gets any more expensive, which it very well could.
Michigan State is a more popular basketball program and its huge wins earlier this week could certainly motivate the average bettor into betting the Spartans to beat an unranked Maryland team. Maybe wait until a little closer to tip-off and we could get a better price on the Terrapins.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 133.5 (-110) is my favorite play on the board for a couple of reasons.
First, the side we are on —Maryland—plays at one of the slower tempos in the nation (302nd in pace of play) so I’m banking on the game being a little slowed down.
Second, we have some Under-friendly trends such as Maryland having a 1-4 O/U record in its last five games following a win, Michigan State playing to the Under in six of its past seven games and three of the last four Michigan State-Maryland meetings have gone Under the total.
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