Current no. 13 Maryland Terrapins has been hot as of late, racking up three-straight wins to improve their Big Ten-leading record to 5-1. The no. 23 Indiana Hoosiers (4-1 in Big Ten) are also riding the same win streak and have a chance of securing a share of the top spot in the conference with a win in Bloomington this coming Thursday.
On Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats look to continue their unbeaten run in the SEC as they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Maryland Terrapins vs. Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview
Where: Assembly Hall, Bloomington
When: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:00PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins vs. Indiana Hoosiers – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins
He’s not from Syracuse but a freshman who goes by the name of Melo is quickly becoming one of the most exciting newcomers in the nation. Melo Trimble scored 24 points, including six three-pointers, as Maryland blew out the Michigan State Spartans, 75-59 last Saturday.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Led by Trimble, who scored 21 of his total points in the first half, the Terrapins were able to establish a 40-26 lead at halftime and were never threatened in the second half on their way to their third-straight victory. The Spartans clearly could not weather the guard combo of Trimble and Jake Layman, who also had a great game, scoring 23 points.
Trimble, the Terrapins’ prized recruit has been the team’s chief gunner this season, averaging 16.1 PPG. He’s followed by Layman, who is putting up 14.7 PPG. Both players may see another good shooting night on Thursday against a Hoosiers defense that allows 99.5 points to opponents per 100 possessions.
Maryland is also capable of slowing down opposing teams’ offenses. The Terrapins are 49th in the nation in defense with only 61.4 points surrendered per game. They are also ranked 33rd in defensive efficiency with a .893 clip. Their defense will be at the forefront against Indiana, which will enter the court on Thursday with an 81.6 PPG average.
The Terrapins are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
Will the Terrapins remain atop the Big Ten standings after this game? Create a betting account now and see if you can predict the winning team.
Betting on the Indiana Hoosiers
After suffering an embarrassing loss against Michigan State early this month, the Hoosiers seemed to have finally found their groove as they reeled in three-straight victories, including their 80-74 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 18.
Forward Troy Williams and guard James Blackmon Jr. each scored 21 points for the high-scoring Hoosiers, who have averaged 75.0 PPG during their current win streak. However, that figure is six points short of their season average.
Part of the Hoosiers’ diminished scoring production is Yogi Ferrell’s ongoing shooting woes. The junior guard, who is averaging 14.9 PPG, has mustered just seven points in each of Indiana’s last two games. Against Ohio State on Saturday, Ferrell scored 10 points on 1-for-8 shooting from the field. During that three-game stretch, Ferrell went 4-for-25 (16 FG%).
Tom Crean is going to need Ferrell to get out of his shooting funk against Maryland to keep the Terrapins tight defense from focusing on Blackmon and Williams. Blackmon is the team’s leading scorer with 16.6 PPG, while Williams is third with 13.4 PPG.
The Hoosiers are 4-0 SU in their last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Maryland wins, 76-72.
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