Northwestern vs Maryland Picks and Odds (Feb. 26)
- Big Ten contenders Northwestern and Maryland meet on Sunday, February 26
- Maryland is a 5.5-point home favorite over Northwestern at the Xfinity Center
- Read below for Northwestern vs Maryland odds, analysis and prediction
Maryland (19-9, 10-7 Big Ten) is a 5.5-point home favorite over Northwestern in a Big Ten game at noon ET Sunday on the Big Ten Network. This is the only meeting between the two this season. The Terrapins have won seven of their last nine.
No. 21 Northwestern (20-8, 11-6 Big Ten) had a five-game winning streak broken in a 66-62 loss at Illinois the last time out Thursday. The Wildcats could not hold an 18-point halftime lead in that one.
Northwestern vs Maryland Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Wildcats | +5.5 (-102) | +205 | Over 130.5 (-110) |
| Maryland Terrapins | -5.5 (-120) | -255 | Under 130.5 (-110) |
Maryland is a 5.5-point favorite over Northwestern in a series that the Terrapins have dominated since they joined the Big Ten in 2014-15. Maryland is 10-3 SU and 7-6 ATS in those 13 games. Northwestern has won two of the last three and covered three of the last four.
The Wildcats won the last meeting Maryland, in 2021, but lost each of the previous five.
Maryland and Northwestern are two of the best spread plays in Division I this season, both 18-10 ATS. The Wildcats have covered their last six and nine of their last 11, and they are 6-2 ATS on the Big Ten road. Maryland is 15-1 SU and 12-4 ATS at home, 9-0 ATS in league home games.
The Terps have covered eight of their last 11, but only two of their previous five. They have won 12 straight at home dating to the end of last season.
Odds from FanDuel on February 25.
Maryland Back on Track
The Terrapins were stunned at improving Nebraska last Sunday. They responded with an easy 88-70 victory over Minnesota the last time out Wednesday. It really was not a fair fight.
All five Maryland starters scored in double figures and the Terps pick apart bottom-feeder Minnesota’s porous defense, shooting a season-high 68.1 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range.
Julian Reese in the last 5 games:
13.8 ppg
7.0 rpg
2.0 bpg
57% FG%
28.2% usage
4.6 fouls drawn/g
8.5% blk + stl %Good to see him back to his early season form. Been a massive 2 way impactor for the Terps. Big things ahead for Juju💪📈🐢 pic.twitter.com/oICrOKNEum
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) February 23, 2023
Athletic 6’9″ sophomore post Julian Reese (11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds) has come into his own while Maryland has regained its steam after a mild mid-season drought. Reese has scored in double figures in seven straight games with three of his four double-doubles, including in each of the last two.
He is shooting 63.6 percent from the field. Some of that success is coming from his ability to slip to the basket in coach Kevin Willard’s pet high-pick-and-roll action with Jahmir Young often initiating.
The big three of guards Young (16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists) and Hakim Hart (12. 1 points, 4.4 rebounds) and forward Donta Scott (11.8, 6.1) has started all 25 games this season, and each is averaging at least 30 minutes per game. Terps have been stingy on defense, limiting opponents to 42.0 percent shooting from the field.
Northwestern Looks to Recover
The Wildcats appeared to have their sixth straight victory well in hand before fading in the second half at Illinois on Thursday. Boo Buie drove Northwestern with a career-high 35 points, but the Wildcats had no answer for the Illini’s Terrence Shannon. Shannon scored 26 points after missing the previous two games in the concussion protocol.
Instead of getting with one game of league-leading Purdue and moving two games clear of third place, the Wildcats find themselves back in the scrum for one of four double-byes in the Big Ten tournament.
Boo Buie, Scary Good 👻 pic.twitter.com/9D18q0tgHk
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 24, 2023
Senior guards Buie (17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists) and Chase Audige (14.5, 3.3, 2.9) are the principal drivers for the Wildcats. Northwestern will make their first NCAA appearance since 2016-2017 even if they lose their final three regular-season games and their Big Ten tourney game.
Buis had six three-pointers against Illinois and has 58 this season. Audige has 53. Big men Matthew Nicholson and Robbie Beran chip in but mainly rebound and set picks.
The Wildcats are shooting 40.8 percent from the floor, same as their opponents. But their plus 4.5 turnover margin is ninth in Division I. Audige is seventh in Division I with 69 steals.
Northwestern vs Maryland Prediction
Both these teams have been strong go-withs this season. Northwestern has been strong on the road; Maryland, strong at home. The Terrapins have more weapons that Chris Collins’ team, and they already have home victories over Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Purdue.
The wins over Illinois and Indiana were in the only meetings this season, as is this with the Wildcats. A win here and the Terps would win almost every conference tie-breaker in the battle for postseason tournament positioning. The home team is the play here.
Pick: Maryland -5.5 (-102)
Season CBK: 44-22 ATS
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Jack has covered college and professional sports for various Arizona media outlets since the 1980s and has written for the Associated Press, USA Today and Baseball America, among others. He staffed the 2015-17 World Series and has staffed four Super Bowls.
