Maryland Terrapins at Purdue Boilermakers NCAAB Pick – Odds and ATS Predictions

Big Ten Basketball season is underway with several games scheduled in the month of December. There is no clear favorite in the Big Ten this season, but there are several teams that should make a run at the title. The Maryland Terrapins and Purdue Boilermakers are two teams from this group of title contenders. The Terrapins will travel to Purdue on Thursday night for a battle with the Boilermakers.

Both of these teams are off to solid starts this season, and the Terrapins and Boilermakers are in the top-25. Maryland is off to a 7-1 start this season and was able to beat the Penn State Nittany Lions in their conference opener. Purdue checks in with a 5-3 record, and they got blown out in their conference opener at Michigan. Purdue will likely be a small favorite with the game being played in Mackey Arena.

Maryland Has Offensive Weapons

The Maryland Terrapins lack a “true star” this season, but they have plenty of weapons on offense. Point guard Anthony Cowan Jr. has done a great job of scoring points this season, while also setting up his teammates. Cowan is averaging a team-high 16.4 points and 4.5 assists per game. Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith have combined to average over 27 points per game in support of Cowan. The Terrapins come into this game averaging over 80 points per game but scored just 66 in their conference opener.

The Terrapins will have to figure out a way to slow down Purdue star Carsen Edwards in this game. Maryland has been solid on defense for much of the season, allowing just over 66 points per game. The Terrapins have plenty of size that helps them on the defensive end, but it will be their guards and forwards who will be tasked with stopping Edwards.

Edwards Carrying Young Purdue Squad

Speaking of Edwards, the All-American guard is doing all that he can do to carry the Boilermakers this season. Edwards is averaging 24.4 points per game while shooting almost 40 percent from the three-point line. The Boilermakers lost a ton of talent and scoring from a season ago, but they need more players to step up on offense. Ryan Cline is averaging 15.3 points per game but is the only other player averaging more than 10.5 points per game.

Last year, Purdue was one of the biggest teams in college basketball, but they have struggled down low this season. Center Matt Haarms has struggled to stay out of foul trouble, and the Boilermakers need him on the floor to be successful. Purdue is ranked 133rd in the nation in team rebounding, and this will be a key to this game. The Boilermakers need to win the battle of the paint.