Maryland and Illinois played a 20-point game three weeks ago in Champaign. We’re expecting a much closer affair when the teams meet in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 tournament on Friday evening in Indianapolis.
The Terrapins are in action for the first time this week, while the Illini just won a game Thursday night. Is fresher better? Or does the added rest give the Terps the edge?
And just how are we playing this game with our free college basketball betting pick?
NCAAB Betting Odds
The Big 10 tournament betting market opened Maryland at -1 for Friday night, with an over/under of right around 158. Both those numbers were holding steady in early betting action.
Illinois-Maryland Betting Preview
The Illini reached this Big 10 tournament quarterfinal match-up by beating Iowa in a second-round game Thursday night 106-94. Illinois, favored at -10, only led the Hawkeyes 49-45 at the half. But the Illini pushed their advantage to 17 midway through the second half and held on from there.
Illinois shot 54 percent from the field Thursday and out-rebounded Iowa 41-24.
Illinois played 12-8 in the Big 10 this season to earn the No. 7 seed and a first-round bye. The Illini only sat at 9-8 in conference play three weeks ago after losing back-to-back games to Michigan State and Wisconsin, then got blown out by Duke at Madison Square Garden. But Illinois then finished its regular season with wins over Iowa, Michigan, and Purdue, and then won Thursday. So the Illini own a four-game winning streak with four straight covers.
Meanwhile the Terrapins reached this quarterfinal round by playing 14-6 in the Big 10 this season to snag the No. 2 seed and a double-bye past the first and second rounds.
Maryland only started 1-3 in conference play this season, then won 13 of its last 16 games, including its last three in a row over Penn State, Michigan, and, last Saturday, Northwestern. So the Terps are playing Friday night off six days rest.
Maryland took the only meeting between these teams this season six weeks ago, 91-70 at Champaign. However, Illinois played that game shorthanded; the Illini are back to full strength now.
That was only a three-point game early in the second half before the Terps pulled away.
Maryland shot 50 percent from the floor that night while holding Illinois to just 38 percent.
So the Terrapins are 7-2 SU, 6-3 ATS their last nine meetings with the Illini.
Also, that game six weeks ago played over a total of 156.
These teams have played one common opponent recently, Michigan. Two weeks ago Illinois beat the Wolverines 93-73; three days later Maryland beat Michigan 71-65.
Totals Report
The Overs are 7-2 over the Illini’s last nine games.
The Unders are 4-0 over the Terps’ last four games.
The Overs are 4-1 over the last five meetings between these teams.
