Rutgers at Maryland Total Prediction | CBB Pick 2/6/24

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-10 SU, 10-11 ATS) vs. Maryland Terrapins (13-9 SU, 9-13 ATS)

When: Tuesday, February 6th, 6:30 PM (ET)

Where: XFINITY Center, MD, College Park

TV: BTN

Point Spread: RUTGER +7.5/MARY -7.5

Total: 126.5

Money Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +275/-360

Notable Injuries

Scarlet Knights

Terrapins

• Chance Stephens (Out) Knee
• Braden Pierce (Out) Undisclosed

Recent Form

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 11-10 this season, including a 3-7 record in Big Ten play. On the road, they are just 2-5, and their average scoring margin is -8.0 points per game.

As an underdog, Rutgers is 2-7 this season, and they have gone 1-4 in their last five road games. In their most recent game, they beat Michigan by a score of 69-59.

Rutgers’ over/under record for the season is 6-15 and today’s line of 126.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games this year (138.4). So far, 15 of their games have finished with more points than today’s OU line. However, over their last three games, their average scoring total is just 120 points and their over/under record during this span is 0-3.

Against the spread, Rutgers has gone 10-11 this season. On the road, their ATS mark is 3-4 and their last 3 road ATS record is 1-2. As the underdog, the Scarlet Knights are 4-5 vs. the spread this year and their last 3 underdog ATS record is 2-1.

Through 22 games, Maryland has an overall record of 13-9. In Big Ten play, the Terrapins are 5-6, and they are 8-3 in non-conference games. At home, Maryland has been much better than on the road, going 10-3 compared to 3-6.

Coming off a 63-54 loss to Michigan State, the Terrapins are 10-3 when favored this season. So far, their average scoring margin at home is +12.5, and they are 8-2 in their last ten games at home.

Today’s over/under line of 126.5 is lower than the average over/under line in Maryland’s games this season (136.6) and the average scoring total in their games (132.9). In their last three games, the over/under record is 0-3 and the average scoring total is 125 points.

Overall, Maryland has an ATS record of 9-13 this season. At home, their ATS mark is 5-8. In their last three games as the favorite, the Terps have gone 2-1 vs. the spread.

Analysis

The Scarlet Knights’ offense wrapped up their last game with 69 points, aligning closely with their current season average of 66.9 points per contest. The team’s top scorer is Aundre Hyatt, who enters today’s matchup with an average of 11.6, while Clifford Omoruyi also carries a PPG average of 11 into the game.

This season, the Rutgers defense has been impressive, holding the 43rd position in the country while permitting an average of 66.0 points per contest. The Rutgers defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 59 points and allowed Michigan to connect on 7 threes.

Most recently, the Maryland offense finished with just 54 points vs. Michigan State. For the game, they hit 7/30 three-point attempts and a field goal percentage of 30.9%. Jahmir Young is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 20.9. Meanwhile, Julian Reese also brings a PPG average of 13.1 into the game.

This season, the Maryland defense has been impressive, holding the 14th position in the country while permitting an average of 63.4 points per contest. In today’s game, the Maryland defense will be looking to once again do a good job defending the three-point line, as they gave up just 4 three-pointers while giving up 63 points.

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Scarlet Knights have a straight up record of 3-7 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 66 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last ten games at home, the Terrapins have a straight up record of 3-7 while going 4-6 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 60 points per game in these contests.
• Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Scarlet Knights have a straight up record of 1-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
• Through their previous five contests as the betting favorite, the Terrapins have a strong record of 4-1. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is 2-3.

Rich Crew’s Total Pick

I don’t feel as strong about this game as yesterday’s Virginia game, but the numbers point to a defesive battle. The Scarlett Knights rank 355th in FG% and 352nd 3-pt% and face the Terps who rank 14th in the nation in defensive efficiency. On the other side of the ball for both squads it is much of the same with Maryland ranked 325th in FG% and 342nd in 3-pt% while facing a Rutgers team ranked 8th in defensive effiecency. Additionally, Rutgers is 1-6 versus the O/U line in regulation over their last seven while the host Terrapins have four consecutive Unders overall and are 4-8 against the O/U total line at home this season. Take the Under 127.5.