The No. 19 Maryland Terrapins are on cruise control, but they can’t be overconfident, especially in a conference like the Big Ten. They will face next the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, where the host team will look to put an end to its losing skid.
The Terps are +1,000 to win the national title, while the Buckeyes are +15,000 to win it all.
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Betting Preview for the Maryland Terrapins vs. Ohio State Buckeyes College Basketball Game on January 18, 2019
Where: Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center, Columbus
When: Friday, January 18, 2019, 6:30 PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins (odds) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins (15-3 Overall / 6-1 Conference)
The Terps extended their win streak to six games after holding on to beat the Wisconsin Badgers at home last Monday, 24-60. Four players scored in double figures for Maryland in that game, led by Anthony Cowan Jr., who went full-James Harden by shooting just 4-for-14 from the field but made up for that poor shooting from the field by converting 11 of his 13 free throw attempts. Being aggressive on the glass and on offense have been key to Maryland’s ongoing success. Over their last five games, the Terps have outrebounded opponents 196-151. They have been owning opponents on the glass and are, in fact, 20th in the nation with 40.2 rebounds per game. They should get plenty of second-chance opportunities on offense against Ohio State, which is only 138th in the nation with 35.9 boards per contest.
The Terps are 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last five road games.
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-4 Overall / 2-3 Conference)
After six-straight wins, the Buckeyes have seemingly went on a nosedive, losing all of their last three outings. That stretch includes their 72-62 road loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes last Saturday. It’s still not time to panic for Ohio State, though, as it’ll have plenty of chances to recover – a perk of playing in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes can right the ship with a win at home this weekend against a ranked Maryland squad, and they can rely on their defense to lead them to a victory. Ohio State is 24th in the nation with just 64.2 points allowed per game. Their opponents are shooting just 39.7 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from the three-point area. Speaking of three-point shooting, Ohio State will look to carry over their excellent outside sniping in the Iowa game into this weekend’s showdown with Maryland. Against the Hawkeyes, Ohio State went 10-for-25 from the field. Their bench could also be a key factor against Maryland, which got just three points from its second unit in the win over Wisconsin. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, received 32 points from their second stringers against Iowa.
The over is 3-1 in Ohio State’s last four games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
Ohio State wakes up and defeats Maryland, 75-71.
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