Brace yourselves for an all-important encounter between two powerhouse programs, as the No. 10 Maryland Terrapins pay the No. 20 Purdue Boilermakers a visit at Mackey Arena.
The Terrapins came away with the 72-61 victory in their previous meeting last month and a win here will take them a step closer from gaining at least a share of the Big Ten title. That’ll be easier said than done, though, since they’ll have to do it in front of a very hostile Mackey Arena crowd.
The Boilermakers, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a gut-wrenching loss to Indiana last week and hopefully finish off the final stretch of the regular season on a high note.
So now, please read on below for a closer look at this promising matchup. And for more college basketball action, check out our complete preview of No. 7 North Carolina vs. No. 3 Virginia.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Purdue Boilermakers Preview
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
When: Thursday, February 27, 2016, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Maryland Terrapins (+3.5) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (-3.5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Maryland Terrapins (23-5, 11-4 Big Ten)
Four starters managed to score in double-figures for the Terps and it was the pair of Robert Carter and Jake Layman, who led the way with 33 points and nine rebounds combined. Both will now be looking to replicate their respective performances when they take a trip to West Lafayette for a critical showdown with the 20th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.
Besides the two, the No. 10 Terrapins will pray that their beloved floor general Melo Trimble, who is averaging team-highs of 14.0 points and 5.2 assists, can finally put an end to his on-going slump. The sophomore guard is only putting up 10.6 points on 20.8 percent shooting. But on the bright side, he’s still managing to make plays for his teammates with 4.6 assists per contest in the same stretch.
Furthermore, Rasheed Sulaimon should prove to be another key factor in this game. He’s contributing 16.5 points and has gone 8-of-17 from three-point territory in his previous four outings.
It’s worth taking into account, though, that the Terps will really have to work for their points against one of the best defensive teams in the country. Purdue is giving up just 64.0 points this season.
Maryland is 6-4 SU and 4-5-1 ATS in its past 10 road games.
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Betting on the Purdue Boilermakers (21-7, 9-6 Big Ten)
As for the Purdue Boilermakers, they’ll be entering this match coming off a tough setback to Indiana last Saturday night, 77-73.
The Boilermakers shot 58.7 percent collectively, but unfortunately dug their own grave as well by committing a total of 13 turnovers, including eight during the first half. They’ll now look to redeem themselves when the 10th-ranked Maryland Terrapins pay them a visit at Mackey Arena.
Expect the No. 20 Boilermakers to continue leaning on their big men in A.J. Hammons, Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan to dominate the shaded lane. The three combined for 39 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the Hoosiers.
Hammons, in particular, will be the biggest headache for the opposing defense. The senior center leads Purdue in scoring (14.6) and blocks (2.6) this season. Hammons also had a solid performance in their last outing against Maryland on February 6, during which he had 18 points and 10 boards across his name.
Over on defense, the Boilermakers will be greatly tested by a Terrapins team that’s posting 75.4 points per game. It’s a good thing that Purdue’s played solid defense especially at home this year, allowing only 62.3 points.
Purdue is 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS in its previous 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Purdue (-3.5) wins, 69-65.
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