The sporting calendar feels a little empty with no NBA on the schedule, but luckily some of college basketball’s top teams are in action, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Purdue and Iowa State. This action is highlighted by a Top 25 matchup between Big Ten rivals Maryland and Iowa. **video
The No. 21 ranked Hawkeyes have won nine of their last 10 games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, but sit a half game behind the Terrapins in the Big Ten Conference standings. Can Maryland’s top-flight defense down the Hawkeyes? We break down the best ways to wager this Big Ten battle.
Maryland Terrapins vs Iowa Hawkeyes (-2.5, 147.5)
QUICK HITTER
Iowa owns one of the better offenses in the country, netting 81.2 points per game this season and are one of the highest scoring first half teams, ranking seventh at 40.6 per contest. At home that increases to 41.9 points per game and while the Terrapins have a stingy defense built to play on the road, the Hawkeyes enter this matchup flying high after their last second victory against Rutgers. They should ride this wave of momentum and the home crowd to an early advantage.
PREDICTION: Race to 20 – Iowa (-135)
FIRST HALF BET
The Terrapins come into this matchup coming off a disappointing 65-52 loss at Michigan, where they had a lot of trouble scoring the basketball. Which can happen from time-to-time for a team whose primary focus is defense. That said, Michigan is a very strong defensive team. Iowa is not. And despite that defensive focus, they rank fifth in the Big Ten in scoring at 72.8 points per game behind their stellar front court combo of Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith, who could create big problems for Iowa. The Hawkeyes rank 273rd in the country in points allowed off 2-point field goals.
PREDICTION: First half total – Over 68.5
FULL GAME TOTAL
Maryland is on a nice little Under run, cashing it in seven of its last nine games. That’s thanks to their outstanding and versatile defense. They rank 29th in opponent’s points per game at just 64.6 per contest and 15th in opponent’s field goal percentage at 31.6. They get even stingier on the road, limiting opponent’s to just 61.5 points on their home courts.
Iowa’s offense is balanced, but only have a few reliable shooters from deep and that could pose problems against this Terrapins team. And while the Hawkeyes can struggle on defense, Maryland’s inconsistencies on offense mixed with their lock-down defense will keep this game Under the total.
PREDICTION: Under 147.5
FULL GAME SIDE
This game isn’t just a matchup between two of the Big Ten’s best teams, there is plenty on the line. The winner will have the inside track to a top-four seed and a double bye into the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Iowa has won four straight, but the last two were last second victories they maybe shouldn’t have won and failed to cover as favorites in both. Meanwhile, Maryland has been a solid road team and has only lost back-to-back games on this season. The Terrapins are also 7-1 ATS in their last eight games coming off an ATS loss. The Hawkeyes really don’t have an answer for Fernando and Smith on the inside and if the Terrapins can limit their turnovers they should not only be in a position to cover but win this game outright.
PREDICTION: Maryland +2.5
