The Indiana Hoosiers and Maryland Terrapins meet up in the Big Ten Tournament tonight. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have Maryland favored to pick up the win in a close contest.
Maryland's first season in the Big Ten proved to be a good one with the Terps finishing second in the regular season. Mark Turgeon's team has risen to No. 8 nationally prior to reaching the conference tournament, already piling up 26 wins and sporting one of the best backcourts in all college basketball.
Turgeon earned coach of the year honors by the media while both Dez Wells and Melo Trimble were recognized for their spectacular play this season as well. Maryland has a team with experience, athleticism and a nice defense. Opponents this season have averaged just 63 points per game against the Terrapins, but Indiana scored the most single points against them all season in an 89-70 blowout at Assembly Hall back in January.
Only two teams have broken the 80-point mark against Maryland this season as Ohio State beat Maryland 80-56 over the Terps as well. Maryland has won the last seven games overall, holding opponents to just 60.5 points per game during that time.
Indiana might have saved their season yesterday by beating Northwestern. It's not a resume-builder, but a loss to the Wildcats would have been devastating to the Hoosiers' NCAA Tournament hopes. The Hoosiers own four wins over ranked opponents this season, Maryland included, and a win here over the Terps again would cement them in the tournament.
James Blackmon Jr. and Yogi Ferrell both had big games against Northwestern, combining for 42 points. Blackmon had a huge game against Maryland back in January, but struggled in the second game with just five points.
Indiana could certainly benefit from a win here, but Maryland is on fire right now. They haven't played in a couple of days and that can give Indiana an advantage, but the Terps win this one.
Free Pick: Maryland 72, Indiana 65
NCAA Basketball: Who Can Win it All?
Teddy Covers and Steve Fezzik from Pregame.com discuss who they feel will win it all in the NCAA Tournament, while throwing in some teams that have a chance to make a deep run in the tournament.
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