Another intriguing showdown is set to take college hoops fans off their feet, when the Maryland Terrapins open their NCAA Tournament against a mid-conference newcomer in the form of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Friday at Spokane Arena. Can the Terps breeze towards the victory? Or will the Jackrabbits somehow pull off the improbable upset at their expense?
Let’s read on below for an in-depth look at his first-round showdown. You can also click here for our preview of the opening-round match between St. Joseph’s Hawks and Cincinnati Bearcats.
March Madness No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 South Dakota State Preview
Where: Spokane Arena, Washington
When: Friday, March 18, 4:30 PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins (-9.5) vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (+9.5); total: 143.0 – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins
Expect Melo Trimble and Diamond Stone to take the reins in guiding their team towards to victory. Both players have built a solid chemistry with one another, as many opposing teams have had a tough time in keeping them at bay.
Trimble, who’s dubbed by a few to be one of best point guards in the country, has done well as a play-maker and a facilitator. He’s averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season. Stone, on the other hand, has been an intimidating force in the paint. He’s putting up 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds while also making his presence felt on the opposite side of the court with 1.4 blocks per contest.
Meanwhile, the Terrapins’ offense, which is producing 75.5 points, doesn’t stop there. The pair of Robert Carter and Rasheed Sulaimon has been a major headache for opponents. Both are scoring in double-digits this season with 12.8 and 11.1 points per outing respectively.
On defense, the Terrapins can’t be complacent at all. The Jackrabbits boast a respectable offense game that’s putting up almost 80 points per contest. They are also shooting 46.4% from the field as a team, which is among the highest in the nation.
Maryland is 2-3 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in its last five games.
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Betting on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits have nothing to lose here and they certainly shouldn’t be feeling pressure in this matchup. In fact, confidence could be the key for the Summit League regular season and tournament champions in shocking the world with an upset over the heavily-favored Maryland Terrapins.
The Jackrabbits, who’ll be making their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament, will definitely lean on their three seniors guards in Mike Daum, George Marshall and Deondre Parks to ignite their attack. All three have played spectacularly for the team this season, averaging 44.8 points combined.
They also provide South Dakota State the leadership and most importantly the experience that they need which should be able to help them execute relatively well down the stretch.
Defense, meanwhile, will undoubtedly be of utmost importance. The Jackrabbits have yet to prove that they can compete against stiffer competition and this bout with the Terrapins, who are loaded with a lot of talent but have been struggling of late, will be a good test.
SDSU, which is allowing 80.6 points this season, has won eight of its last 10 games.
Writer’s Prediction
Maryland (-9.5) wins, 89-75.
