It’s pretty surprising to see that neither the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins nor No. 11 Michigan State Spartans are on top of the Big Ten standings at this point of the season. Nevertheless, the Terps remain in the hunt for the regular season title. They’re off to East Lansing this coming Saturday to pay the tailspinning Spartans a visit. Will the Terps add more to Michigan State’s woes? Or will the Spartans end their skid with a loud win over a ranked opponent?
Read on for more about this game. You can also check out our preview Oklahoma vs. Baylor.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Maryland Terrapins vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview
Where: Jack Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing
When: Saturday, January 23, 6:30 PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins vs. Michigan State Spartans – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins (17-2, 6-1 Big Ten)
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Maryland needed every one of Melo Trimble’s game-high 18 points to avoid being upset by Northwestern on Tuesday, when the Terps eked out a 62-56 overtime win over the Wildcats.
While the Terps had a hard time dispatching Northwestern, they must be thrilled to see Trimble get back his shooting touch. In two games prior, Trimble produced just 10 points on 3-for-12 from the field.
Trimble is the Terps’ biggest offensive weapon on any given night and his presence in East Lansing this Saturday means another opportunity for him to burn the Spartans. In his freshman season, Trimble averaged 21.0 points in three games against Michigan State. That includes his 24-point performance in the Terps’ 75-59 win on January 17, 2015, wherein Trimble went ballistic from beyond the arc with six three-pointers.
Maryland is going to play Michigan State with better offensive weapons this time though. With freshman Diamond Stone down low and Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon expected to provide added firepower, the Terps should be able to munch down on Michigan State’s crumbling defense that has allowed 75.0 points over its last three games.
Maryland, which is averaging 78.1 points per game, is 3-1 SU and ATS in its last four road games.
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Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (16-4, 3-4 Big Ten)
The Spartans are searching for answers following their latest debacle, a 72-71 loss to Nebraska on Wednesday.
Against the Cornhuskers, Michigan State was again victimized by its defense that has gone absent of late. The Spartans are allowing 63.2 points per game on the season, but have given up 75.0 over the past three games. Moreover, the Spartans have also seen their opponents shoot for 45.9 percent from the field during stretch, far greater than their season average of 37.4%.
These defensive lapses have to stop against Maryland. The Spartans have to track down Maryland’s shooters more quickly, as the Terrapins are making 45.4% of their two-point jumpers—sixth in the nation. That’s going to be easier said than done for the Spartans, but judging from their opponents’ 41.4% two-point shooting percentage, they appear to be well equipped to lock down Melo Trimble and company.
After scoring just 59 points in the loss to No. 16 Iowa to end 2015, the Spartans appear to have gotten their offensive touch back, scoring 76 and 71 points in the succeeding two games.
Denzel Valentine remains a dangerous offensive weapon for Michigan State, as the swingman has averaged 23.5 points over the last two games. Bryn Forbes, meanwhile, needs to show up in order for Michigan State to keep in step with Maryland. Forbes, who scored just three points against Nebraska, is second on the team with 13.1 PPG thus far this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan State wins, 76-73.
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