The No. 13 Maryland Terrapins (16-4, 7-2 Big 10) clash with the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-14, 1-7 Big 10) at Madison Square Garden. The game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26, 2019.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins Free Prediction
The last time the Fighting Illini played, they were beaten by the Wisconsin Badgers, 72-60. One of Wisconsin’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 17-21 (81.0 percent), while the Fighting Illini were just 12-22 (54.5 percent). Giorgi Bezhanishvili led Illinois in scoring with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The Terrapins lost to the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans in their last game, 69-55. Michigan State’s 0.115 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Maryland, who had a rate of 0.066. The Spartans’ mark was below their season average of 0.264, while the Terrapins’ was below their season average of 0.274. With 12 points and 13 rebounds, Maryland’s Bruno Fernando had a good game.
After the Terrapins won the lone game against the Fighting Illini last season, 92-91, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Terrapins made 14 of their 19 free throws (73.7 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.8 vs. 21.2).
Maryland could own the offensive glass in this showdown. The Terrapins currently rank 19th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.3 percent), while Illinois ranks 290th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.0 percent). Moreover, the Fighting Illini rank 326th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.178), while the Terrapins rank 18th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.172).
Illinois vs. Maryland Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Maryland, ATS Winner – Illinois, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Maryland ranks 26th in rebounds per game (39.8) while Illinois ranks 220th (33.5).
The Fighting Illini rank 37th in steals per game (7.9) while the Terrapins rank 191st (5.0).
Maryland ranks 21st in blocks per game (4.9) while Illinois ranks 162nd (2.3).
The Fighting Illini rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (18.3) while the Terrapins rank 146th (22.7).
Maryland averages 14.1 assists per game, which ranks 116th in the country. Illinois ranks 124th in assists allowed per game (13.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Fighting Illini’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.2, up from 1.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Terrapins have scored an average of 70.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.4 points per game (0.7 above their season average).
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