Purdue vs Maryland Odds
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -105 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | -275 |
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -115 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | +220 |
There’s nothing easy about Big Ten play. Regardless of how good or how unimpressive a team is, playing a conference road game in the Big Ten isn’t an easy task.
The Maryland Terrapins play host against the No. 1-ranked Purdue Boilermakers in College Park. Purdue already lost once as the top-ranked team in America, so is a redux in store?
Purdue Boilermakers
In a year where everyone seems beatable, Purdue feels the least beatable of the bunch.
It all starts with Zach Edey, who looks poised to be the first player since Ralph Sampson in the 1980s to collect back-to-back National Player of the Year awards. You can throw as many bodies as you want in Edey’s direction, his production is inevitable.
One of the biggest strengths for Purdue is rebounding. The Boilermakers rank top-30 in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. You aren’t beating the Boilers on the glass.
Everyone remembers the historical upset from No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in March. That’s the big stain on Purdue’s program moving forward, at least until it gives the general public something else to believe in.
The biggest issue for Purdue in the loss to Fairleigh Dickinson was its guards being reluctant to shoot. That’s completely changed this year, as Braden Smith is averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 47% from deep.
Also, fellow sophomore Fletcher Loyer is shooting just shy of 40% from deep.
Purdue is nearly impossible to beat when the two guards connect on shots. I mean, how can one defense stop two elite perimeter shooters while also doubling the Player of the Year in the post?
Purdue looked unstoppable in convincing wins over Alabama and Arizona, with Smith tallying 25+ points in both wins. He’s the guy who turns Purdue from a good team into a great one.
Maryland Terrapins
The story of Maryland’s season is pretty clear: It has offensive question marks. The Terps rank 134th in Offensive Efficiency, according to KenPom, one of the worst marks in the Big Ten.
Maryland brought back four starters from an NCAA tournament team, so what’s the problem? Maryland lost Hakim Hart, whose perimeter shooting brought more versatility.
Shooting is the Achilles heel for Maryland, as it's connecting on an astounding 27.5% of its 3-point shots. Point guard Jahmir Young is one of the top guards in America, but he's the only one shooting better than 33% from deep.
Young has put together single-performance heroics on more than one occasion this year, and he’ll look for another against Purdue. Young is performing like an All-American so far, averaging 19 points per game. He’ll need to match his season average and then some against Purdue.
The curious case of Donta Scott’s struggles is a main culprit for Maryland’s offensive issues. I don’t think anyone thought the usually reliable fifth-year senior would struggle this much in his final college season.
If Scott gets right, he’s a total matchup nightmare due to his 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame and perimeter shooting touch. The Terps desperately need someone to emerge as a reliable secondary scoring option, and Scott and freshman DeShawn Harris-Smith offer the two best options.
On paper, Maryland matches up pretty well against Purdue. The Boilermakers want to involve Edey early-and-often, but Maryland’s post defense limits opponents to 42% on 2-point field goals.
Maryland’s defense will crowd Edey, led by starting big-man Julian Reese. He’s averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game.
It’s important for the Terps' frontline to avoid foul trouble against Edey, as trying of a task as it may be.
Purdue vs. Maryland
Betting Pick & Prediction
Personally, I would favor Purdue by about five or six points in this road spot.
Road games are difficult, and catching anywhere from six-plus points as a home dog is worthwhile, especially for a team that desperately needs a marquee win.
Pick: Maryland +7.5
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