The Big Ten race is getting more intense, with most teams in the upper half of the conference’s standings still within striking distance of the No. 1 spot. Among them are the Maryland Terrapins (+2500 to win the national title) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (+4500), who will meet in a rematch this coming Friday in Champaign.
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Betting Preview for the Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA College Basketball Game on February 7 2020
Where: State Farm Center, Champaign
When: Friday, February 7, 2020, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins (Odds) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (Odds) – view all 2019-20 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins (17-4 Overall / 7-3 Conference)
The Terrapins have seemingly gotten their act together after two successive losses to the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers last month, as they have put together a four-game win streak, including their 87-72 win at home over No. 18 Iowa last week, which also exacted revenge for their aforementioned loss to the same team. Maryland’s offense has experienced an uptick of late. The Terps, who will battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this Tuesday, are averaging 72.3 points this season, but have scored at least 77 points in each of their last three outings. In the win over Iowa, the Terps shot 45.6 percent from the field but cashed in on a 23-of-26 showing at the foul line. But Maryland will still be known more for its defense, which keyed its 59-58 win over the Fighting Illini at home back in December in which the Terrapins held Illinois to only 39.3 percent shooting from the floor.
Maryland, which is seventh in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, is 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last three games away from home.
Betting on the Illinois Fighting Illini (16-6 Overall / 8-3 Conference)
Unlike Maryland, the Fighting Illini could not deal with Luka Garza and the Hawkeyes, who dealt Illinois a 72-65 loss last Sunday. In the process. Illinois saw its seven-game win skid snapped, largely because the Fighting Illini had no answer for Garza, a 6-11 center with a sweet touch from the outside. Maryland doesn’t have player quite like Garza, as the Terps are mostly relying on a bunch of guards on offense. That should be easier to deal with for Illinois, which has proven it can slow down Maryland. After all, the Terps shot justs 33.3 percent from the field and 25.8 percent from deep in these two teams’ first meeting this season. The Fighting Illini are allowing 64.2 points per game and holding down opponents to 40.8 percent shooting from the field. Ayo Dosunmu, who scored nine points in the loss to Maryland, leads Illinois with 15.8 points per game this season.
The Fighting Illini are 3-1 ATS in their last four games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Illinois wins, 65-63.
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