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Maryland Terrapins – Indiana Hoosiers Preview – 03.06.2016

The No. 12-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (24-6) and the Big Ten’s top-ranked offense welcome the No. 14-ranked Maryland Terrapins (24-6) and the fifth-ranked defense in the conference. Action begins at 4:30 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 6 and can be seen on CBS.

The Hoosiers enter this game hoping for similar success after edging Iowa 81-78 in their last matchup. Thomas Bryant played a pivotal role, recording his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Terrapins, meanwhile, are coming off an 81-55 win against Illinois in their last game. Melo Trimble led the team in scoring by registering 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting.

This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Indiana currently ranks second in offensive efficiency and Maryland is 28th in defensive efficiency.

The Hoosiers have gone 24-6 Straight Up (SU) and 16-14 Against The Spread (ATS). The Hoosiers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 74.1 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 82.8 points per game. Indiana’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation, allowing just 6.0 three-pointers per game.

In the other locker room, the Terrapins have 24-6 SU and 13-15-2 ATS records. The Terrapins convert their shots at a high percentage, ranking ninth in the country at .492. The Terrapins average 65.2 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 71.3 points per game during that span.

The conference foes meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Maryland won the last game in the matchup, bumping its SU record to 4-2. The teams are even ATS, with a 3-3 record.

Predictions: SU Winner – Ind, ATS Winner – Ind

Notes

Indiana is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 82.8 points per game (ranked 10th). Maryland allows 65.2 points per game (ranked 29th).

Maryland has allowed an average of 69.2 points per away game this season. Indiana averages 88.2 points per home game, ranking fourth in scoring.

Maryland won its last game by a 26-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Indiana is 12-2. Maryland is 10-0 in blowouts this season.

The Maryland Terrapins rank 36th for their offensive rating of 113.6. The Indiana Hoosiers have a defensive rating of 100.4 (ranked 57th).

The Indiana Hoosiers have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the nation with a FG% of 50.2%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Maryland Terrapins have a losing 1-2 record.

The Indiana Hoosiers average 24.0 three point attempts per game, and the Maryland Terrapins attempt 20.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Indiana is 18-4 and Maryland is 12-4.

Maryland, the fifth-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.8 per game. Indiana ranks lower at 116th with 3.9.

Indiana ranks 79th in offensive rebounding. When it comes to defensive rebounds, Maryland ranks 78th.

On average, Indiana forces a turnover rate of 19.1%. When Maryland turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a tremendous 13-3 record.

Written by GMS Previews

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