The Maryland Terrapins looked upset after learning that they’ll play in the tournament as a fourth-seeded team—lower than what they expected. The Valparaiso Crusaders, meanwhile, are just happy to make it into the Big Dance as a No. 13 seed. Will Bryce Drew’s magic rub off on the Crusaders and score an early upset in the National Tournament? Or will the Terps vent their frustrations on Valpo?
Read on below for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for our preview of No. 16 Coastal Carolina vs. No. 1 Wisconsin.
[sc:MarchMadness ]March Madness No. 13 Valparaiso Crusaders vs No. 4 Maryland Terrapins Preview
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus
When: Friday, March 20, 4:40 PM ET
Line: Valparaiso Crusaders (+4.5) vs. Maryland Terrapins (-4.5); total: 124.0 – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Valparaiso Crusaders
If Valparaiso pulls off an upset win over Maryland, the Crusaders are going to be the last ones to be surprised. Valparaiso is entering the National Tournament with a ton of confidence despite being a 13-seed team. After all, Valpo is fresh off winning the regular season and tournament title in the Horizon League conference.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The Bryce Drew-coached Crusaders know a thing or two about taking down formidable opponents. The Crusaders have three wins against Top 65 RPI teams. They beat March Madness snub Murray State once and Green Bay twice, the last being the Crusaders’ 54-44 win in the conference title game. Against Maryland, Valparaiso will resort to its vaunted defense to eke out another high-profile victory.
Valparaiso can take the air out of any opponents’ offense. The Crusaders’ stingy defense has forced their opponents to shoot just 42.1 percent on two-point attempts and average just 59.3 points per game. On offense, Valpo will look for the trio of Alec Peters (16.7 PPG), Darien Walker (10.8 PPG), and Tevonn Walker (10.2 PPG) to generate buckets. Valparaiso is averaging 69.8 points per game and is shooting a decent 38.1 percent from the three-point area.
Valpo is 3-0 ATS in its last three games.
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Betting on the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland has overachieved this season, finishing second in Big Ten play and earning a four-seed in the Big Dance. The Terps have no plans of stopping, though, as they try to continue their success, beginning with a Round of 64 matchup with Valparaiso.
Maryland has beaten teams like Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin this season, and behind those towering victories is the duo of Melo Trimble and Dez Wells. It’s no secret that Maryland’s attack will be led by the two in the upcoming game against Valpo. Trimble and Wells are one hell of a backcourt combo, especially when their shooting click.
Trimble, a grossly underrated freshman, is leading the Terps in scoring with 16.3 points per game, while the senior Wells is right behind with 15.4 per game. In the team’s 62-58 loss to Michigan State, the duo combined for 32 points on 11-of-24 shooting.
Maryland is 113th in the nation in terms of scoring with an average of 69.5 points per game. Half of those points come from Trimble and Wells, so if Valpo somehow manages to put the clamps on those two players, other Terps like Jake Layman and Richaud Pack must be ready to step up. Layman is Maryland’s third-leading scorer, putting up 12.8 points per game. Pack, on the hand, is making just 6.1 points per game.
Maryland is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games.
Writer’s Prediction
Valparaiso (+4.5) wins, 62-59.
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