The Maryland Terrapins (18-11, 7-9 Big 10) and the Northwestern Wildcats (15-13, 6-9 Big 10), who both like to play slow, will face off at Allstate Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 19, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 134 points with Northwestern set as a 1-point favorite.
Maryland Terrapins at Northwestern Wildcats Free Prediction
The Terrapins will be hoping for a similar outcome after topping the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last contest, 61-51. Maryland’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Rutgers. The Terrapins had a rate of 0.217 (below their season average of 0.290), while the Scarlet Knights posted a mark of 0.069 (below their season average of 0.199). With 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting, Bruno Fernando was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Wildcats played, they fell to the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans, 65-60. Michigan State’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Northwestern. The Spartans had a rate of 0.370 (above their season average of 0.273), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 0.161 (below their season average of 0.228). Northwestern’s Vic Law put together a good game, leading both teams in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams battle. Northwestern currently ranks 314th in possessions per game (66.5) and Maryland is 306th (66.6). Furthermore, the Terrapins rank 30th in opponents’ effective field goal percentage (0.469), while the Wildcats rank 261st in effective field goal percentage (0.493).
Maryland heads into the contest with records of 18-11 straight up (SU) and 13-10-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Terrapins are involved, as 60.9 percent of their games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Northwestern is 15-13 SU and 11-14 ATS. Wildcats games also have typically finished under the projected point total (64.0 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Kevin Huerter scored a game-high 22 points and the Terrapins defeated the Wildcats 73-57, covering as 4-point favorites. He also put up five assists. The game finished with a total of 130 points, which was just 4 points below the projected point total of 134 points. Maryland had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.618 vs. 0.412). Northwestern, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 vs. 28.0).
Maryland Terrapins at Northwestern Wildcats Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Maryland, ATS Winner – Maryland, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Maryland is 5-6 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 5 overs.
Northwestern is 7-5 ATS at home with 9 unders and 3 overs.
Northwestern ranks 39th in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while Maryland ranks 164th (22.4).
The Wildcats rank 40th in blocks per game (4.4) while the Terrapins rank 109th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Maryland ranks 106th in assists per game (14.4) while Northwestern ranks 145th in assists allowed per game (13.6).
The Terrapins are 24th in the nation with 31.3 rebounds allowed per game while the Wildcats are 60th with 32.6 rebounds allowed per game.
Northwestern ranks 201st in steals per game (5.1) while Maryland ranks 234th (4.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Maryland is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Northwestern is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Terrapins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 7.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 59.2 points per game (10.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.8 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
