The Ohio State Buckeyes will have revenge on their minds after the Maryland Terrapins blasted them earlier this season in what amounted to the team's biggest conference loss of the season.
OSU has played well lately, with three wins in its last four games, despite its most recent outing being a loss to Illinois. Maryland has quietly gone under the radar and has won six of its previous seven. The Terps have also sneakingly become one of the better future bet values on the market in that time.
Our Maryland vs. Ohio State predictions like them to keep rolling here. Read more in our college basketball picks below.
Maryland vs Ohio State prediction
My best bet
Maryland moneyline (+120 at bet365)
My analysis
I'll spare you the monologue about why I've often faded Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler this season. I'll get right to it and tell you I'm backing the Maryland Terrapins to win outright. I projected this as a coinflip, making the +120 price hard to turn down.
Ohio State is due for two-way shooting regression. Its opponents have shot nearly 5% less on average on open threes this year when facing the Buckeyes. That's not reflective of OSU's defense; it's simply luck. It's phenomenal I noted some with Tennessee already this year, and you've seen that play out over the last month.
Ohio State's shooting itself has also been a bit unsustainable as well. The Buckeyes being a mostly average shooting team from 2-point range while somehow maintaining a Top-25 3-point shooting distinction gives me confidence in making that statement. This is a good spot for both things to come down to earth.
Maryland is an elite defensive team. It ranks in the Top 50 of virtually every metric, and unlike its opponent, its done it sustainably. What's most important about this handicap is that the Terps' defensive strengths are tailor-made to slow down the weaknesses of the Buckeyes half-court offense.
Ohio State runs a ton of its offense through pick-and-pops and high/low big-man movement. As you'd expect, Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal are staples of much of this. The problem for Ohio State is that Maryland has held its opponents to nearly an eye-popping .50 points per possession when defending each set. That's as good as any team in the country and gives you confidence it can pretty much shut off a key element of this Buckeyes offense.
On the other side of the ball, I think the Maryland bigs can exploit an interior defense for Ohio State that's been suspect. Most notable to this game is that the Buckeyes have allowed a point per possession and bigs cutting to the basket. That's a big issue.
Not only is that one of the most significant parts of the Maryland offense, but it also has one of the best-scoring big men in the country to exploit that issue in Derik Queen. Couple that with the positive shooting regression due to the Buckeyes' opponents, and the problems pile up.
Maryland vs Ohio State same-game parlay (SGP)
Maryland moneyline
Derik Queen Over 13.5 points
We're pairing Derik Queen to exceed his points total with our best bet. As we mentioned earlier, one of the most evident advantages for either team in this matchup is the direct strength of his game. Ohio State has struggled to defend mobile bigs and foul rate all season, which bodes well for Queen.
Not only is he the big most likely to be featured on the rolls to the rim, but he's also capable of making them play at the line. The freshman dominated Ohio State in the first matchup earlier this season with 17 points and 11 boards. I really don't see much changing tonight.
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Maryland vs Ohio State odds
Maryland vs Ohio State live odds
Maryland vs Ohio State opening odds
- Spread: Maryland +2.5 | Ohio State -2.5
- Moneyline: Maryland +130 | Ohio State -155
- Over/Under: Over 146 | Under 146
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Maryland vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Ohio State has cashed the first-half moneyline in 19 of its last 21 home games for +16.95 units and a 10% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for Maryland vs. Ohio State.
How to watch Maryland vs Ohio State
| Location | Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH |
| Date | Thursday, 2-6-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Maryland vs Ohio State key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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