The No. 25 Maryland Terrapins are playing their best basketball at the perfect time, riding a wave of success down the home stretch of the Big Ten schedule.
Oddsmakers expect the Terrapins to add another win to their resume, setting Maryland as a heavy home favorite against the Iowa Hawkeyes. That double-digit spread has a lot to do with UMD’s dominance inside, which includes the interior scoring of 6-foot-9 senior Julian Reese.
My best Iowa vs. Maryland predictions and college basketball picks are banking on a big day from Reese and the Terps on Sunday, February 16.
Iowa vs Maryland prediction
My best bet
Julian Reese Over 15.5 points (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
The Maryland Terrapins' attack is anchored inside, with UMD bullying opponents in the paint. On the season, the Terrapins are averaging more than 37 points in the paint per outing (17th) and rank 20th in the country at finishing at the rim, according to ShotQualityBets.
Julian Reese is a part of that one-two interior punch, alongside freshman Derik Queen, averaging almost 14 points on the year coming into Sunday’s game. Reese isn’t just a threat down low but also a beast on the offensive glass, scooping up second chances for easy putbacks.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a massive hole inside their defense since losing 6-foot-10 sophomore Owen Freeman to a finger injury earlier this month. The Hawkeyes big was blocking 1.7 shots per game while changing countless attempts and keeping foes off the offensive glass.
Even before Freeman was lost for the season, Iowa was having issues protecting the paint. The Hawkeyes rank among the bottom teams in Division-I in points in the paint allowed (39.3 per game) as well as opponent offensive rebounds (9.9), sitting 234th when it comes to defending at the rim.
Reese is coming off a 13-point effort in the win over Nebraska, shooting 5-for-6 from the floor with three of his 12 rebounds coming on the offensive end. That performance came against a very big and tough Huskers interior that collapses inside.
Player projections for Reese range from 14.4 to as high as 20.2 points, with my number sitting at 16.5 but recognizing a much higher ceiling due to the mismatch inside and Iowa’s gaps in the frontcourt, which now only runs as tall as 6-foot-8.
I like Reese to give the Hawkeyes fits inside and lead Maryland to another win at home.
Iowa vs Maryland same-game parlay (SGP)
Julian Reese 15+ points
Julian Reese 10+ rebounds
Maryland -11.5
Reese’s projections sit as high as 20 points in a game that benefits his ability to battle in the paint.
Reese’s rebound forecast calls for as many as 13 boards against a Iowa team running small in the frontcourt.
Game models give the nod to the Terps against the spread. Maryland is playing at home for just the third time in the past seven games and is 8-6-1 ATS as a host.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Iowa vs Maryland odds
Iowa vs Maryland live odds
Iowa vs Maryland opening odds
- Spread: Iowa +12 | Maryland -12
- Moneyline: Iowa +525 | Maryland -725
- Over/Under: Over 159 | Under 159
Odds courtesy of bet365
Iowa vs Maryland betting trend to know
Maryland has gone Over the game total in 21 of its last 33 games (+7.80 Units/21% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Iowa vs. Maryland.
How to watch Iowa vs Maryland
| Location | XFINITY Center, College Park, MD |
| Date | Sunday, 2-16-2025 |
| Tip-off | 5:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Iowa vs Maryland key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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