These two relatively new Big Ten rivals will meet for the 14th time as conference mates and 19th time overall on Sunday afternoon when the Ohio State Buckeyes head to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
The Buckeyes have mostly taken care of business in games they should win and play close in games they shouldn’t. They currently sit at 10-4 on the season and 2-1 in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have completely fallen apart after an 8-0 start and are now 10-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Will Maryland get back on track and return to a conference contender?
Check out our college basketball betting picks and predictions for Ohio State vs. Maryland on Sunday, January 8 to find out.
Ohio State vs Maryland best odds
Ohio State vs Maryland picks and predictions
There is quite the contrast in styles here as Ohio State likes to play fast and Maryland likes to play slow. The Buckeyes average 80.1 points per game, while the Terrapins only average 71.3 per contest. Ohio State ranks 64th in the nation in field goal attempts per game, while Maryland ranks 282nd in the same category.
Something must give here in this clash of styles. Maryland played a similar style earlier this season against UCLA, and that matchup did not go well for the Terrapins. The Bruins won 87-60 in College Park and shot 55.6% from the field. They mostly did this by attacking the basket, as 30 of their 35 field goals came within the 3-point line.
Looking at Ohio State’s losses this season, they have all come in games where the pace was fast and the scoring was plentiful.
The big question for the Buckeyes is the health of two of their starters. Zed Key injured his shoulder early in the first half of the Purdue game and did not return, while Sean McNeil injured his ankle in the same game, but he did return to finish. Both players are listed as questionable, but it appears McNeil will play while Key is unlikely.
Key could be a big loss for the Buckeyes as he averages 7.8 rebounds per game for one of the best rebounding teams in the country — including 3.1 offensive rebounds per contest. The good news for the Buckeyes is that Maryland allows 9.5 offensive boards per game, which ranks 283rd in the country.
The Terrapins have been bad since the start of December and things are unlikely to get any better here. After scoring a combined 96 points in their last two conference games, it will be difficult for them to score enough to keep up with the Buckeyes. Ohio State has played well enough on the road this season to beat a team it is better than on the court, and it should cover here.
My best bet: Ohio State -1 (-110 at DraftKings)
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Ohio State vs Maryland spread analysis
Ohio State has been more than tested this season with the 30th-ranked strength of schedule and four games against ranked opponents. While only finding itself at 1-3 against ranked opponents, it has handled itself well as the favorite, going 9-1 straight up in 10 that it was favored.
Meanwhile, Maryland has lost four consecutive games SU in which it was the underdog. The combination of the Terrapins being a mediocre shooting team and giving up a lot of rebounds is going to be deadly against this Buckeyes team. Ohio State ranks 13th in rebounds per game and only allows its opponents to shoot 39.8% from the field.
The Buckeyes have covered four consecutive games following a SU loss, and the favorite has covered five of the last six matchups in this conference rivalry. Maryland is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games overall.
Ohio State has the experience and the style of play to win a tough road game. Maryland has shown it isn't ready to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will simply just outscore the Terrapins with their offensive ability and decent defense.
Ohio State vs Maryland Over/Under analysis
The Under is 11-4 in Maryland games this season, while the Over is 9-5 in Ohio State games. This total is set at a number that is about on par for the Terrapins, but a little high for the Buckeyes. It certainly leans toward an Under based on averages.
The Under has hit in four consecutive Maryland games, and five consecutive games following a loss ATS. It is 5-1 in its last six games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Even with the Terrapins getting beat badly in recent games, the totals are still staying Under.
Ohio State is likely to find plenty of offense to win, but that does not mean it's going to light up the scoreboard. At home, Maryland should be able to keep it low scoring for long enough for this game to stay Under the total, and I'd play it that way all the way down to 130.
Ohio State vs Maryland betting trend to know
The Terrapins are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning straight up record. Find more College basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Ohio State State.
Ohio State vs Maryland game info
| Location: | Xfinity Center, College Park, MD |
| Date: | Sunday, January 8, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
