Maryland vs. Ohio State: CBB Picks & Predictions

Maryland Terrapins (17-5 SU, 11-11 ATS) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (13-9 SU, 13-9 ATS)

When: Thursday, February 6th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Value City Arena, OH, Columbus

TV: FS1

Point Spread: MARY +2.5/OHIOST -2.5

Total: 146.5

Money Line: Maryland Terrapins +125/-150

Notable Injuries

Terrapins

• Jahari Long (Questionable) Knee
• Chance Stephens (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Braden Pierce (Out) Eye

Buckeyes

• Meechie Johnson Jr. (Out) Personal
• Taison Chatman (Out) Knee

Recent Form

Maryland Terrapins Recent Game/Games

Maryland improved to 17-5 on the season with a 76-68 home win over Wisconsin on Wednesday. The Terrapins entered the game as -5.5 point favorites and covered the spread with the win.

Maryland led 32-31 at halftime and pulled away by scoring 44 points in the 2nd half while allowing 37. The game’s total points of 144 fell short of the 151.5 O/U line.

Ohio State Buckeyes Recent Game/Games

Ohio State fell to 13-9 on the season after losing 87-79 to Illinois on Sunday. The Buckeyes, who were +6.5 point underdogs, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 166 exceeded the over/under line of 156.5.

Ohio State led 42-36 at halftime but struggled defensively in the 2nd half, allowing 51 points while scoring 37.

Analysis

Maryland’s offense put up 76 points in their last game, shooting 40% from the field. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 50% of their threes (12/24) while struggling inside, shooting just 33.3% on two-point attempts (12/36). Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, and they connected on 76.2% of their free throws (16/21).

John Tonje led the way with 23 points, hitting 5 of 8 threes (62.5%), and Rodney Rice and Ja’Kobi Gillespie each added 16 points, with Gillespie dishing out five assists. Julian Reese was efficient inside, shooting 66.7% (6/9) and grabbing eight rebounds, while Derik Queen pulled down 12 boards despite shooting just 21.4% (3/14).

Maryland’s defense gave up 68 points, with their opponents shooting 40% from the field on 24 of 60 attempts. They held the opposition to 33% on two-point shots, with just 12 makes on 36 tries.

From beyond the arc, Maryland allowed 12 threes on 24 attempts, a 50% shooting performance. Their opponents also went 16 of 21 from the free-throw line, hitting 76%. Maryland gave up nine offensive rebounds.

Ohio State’s offense put up 79 points in their last game despite shooting just 37% from the field and 32% on two-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.8%, but they connected on 47.8% of their threes, hitting 11 of 23 from deep. At the free-throw line, the Buckeyes were nearly perfect, making 14 of 15 attempts for a 93.3% success rate.

Devin Royal led the way with 29 points and seven rebounds, shooting 55.6% overall and 50% from three. Will Riley added 24 points, hitting 77.8% of his shots, while Bruce Thornton contributed 22 points and eight rebounds, knocking down 4 of 7 threes. John Mobley Jr. also hit four threes, finishing with 18 points despite shooting 28.6% overall.

Ohio State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 87 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 51% from the field. Inside the arc, the Buckeyes couldn’t contain the attack, as they allowed 26 two-point field goals on 38 attempts, a 68% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Ohio State’s defense held their opponent to just four made threes on 20 attempts, a 20% shooting performance. However, they sent them to the free-throw line 31 times, where they converted 23 free throws at a 74% rate. The Buckeyes also gave up 11 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Terrapins have a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 78 points per game in this stretch.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Ohio State has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 78 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Terrapins have a straight-up record of 3-7. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Buckeyes have a straight-up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

It’s always tough to win on the road in the Big 10, but I think that’s exactly what Maryland does tonight vs Ohio State. The Terrapins are the much better defensive unit, and they do a good job of avoiding putting opponents on the free-throw line. As for Ohio State, they put opponents on the line about as much as anyone in college basketball. I am going with Maryland to cover.