Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
20
Apr
1:00 PM
ORL
CLE
+4.5
-4.5
207.5
3:30 PM
PHO
MIN
+1.5
-1.5
214
6:00 PM
PHI
NY
+3
-3
209
8:30 PM
LAL
DEN
+7
-7
224
Sunday
21
Apr
3:30 PM
DAL
LAC
-1.5
+1.5
224
7:00 PM
IND
MIL
-1
+1
231.5
Tuesday
23
Apr
8:30 PM
IND
MIL
+3
-3
239.5
10:00 PM
DAL
LAC
+2
-2
227.5

Ohio State vs Maryland Odds Open With Terrapins as 2.5-Point Home Favorites

Jordan Horrobin

by Jordan Horrobin in College Basketball

Updated Apr 7, 2020 · 10:12 AM PDT

Wide shot of Maryland's Xfinity Center basketball court
The Maryland Terrapins are unbeaten on their home court since March 2019. Photo by Amerikasmuse (wikimedia commons).
  • Maryland won both meetings last season by double-digit margins
  • Both teams have fallen back to Earth with recent losses
  • The Terrapins have won 10-straight at home dating back to last season

Ohio State (11-3, 1-1 away) and Maryland (12-2, 9-0 home) will square off at the Xfinity Center in College Park, MD, on Tuesday (Jan. 7th, 7:00 PM ET).

The two powerhouse programs both got off to fiery starts this year, but are beginning to see some cracks in the foundation.

The Buckeyes have lost three of five, while the Terrapins have lost two of four. Their matchup on Tuesday is a chance to prevent things from going off the rails and preserve their prominent places in the 2020 NCAA Tournament odds as the midpoint of the season approaches.

The point spread opened at Maryland -2.5 with the total at 134.5.

Ohio State vs. Maryland Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Over/Under
Ohio State TBD +2.5 (-110) Over 134.5 (-110)
Maryland TBD -2.5 (-110) Under 134.5 (-110)

Odds taken Jan. 6

Recent Recession

The Buckeyes looked (and were) unbeatable through the first month of the season. When they lost at unranked Minnesota, it felt like a blip on the radar, especially when they followed it up with a 71-65 neutral-site win over Kentucky two games later.

But they have since lost two more in succession to West Virginia (on a neutral court in Cleveland) and Wisconsin (at home).

That’s … not good. Especially since Ohio State failed to reach the 60-point mark in its past two games for the first times this season.

Maryland was also untouchable in the first month before dropping a pair of road games against Penn State and Seton Hall.

All things considered, though, all five losses between these two teams have been against top-40 teams as rated by KenPom.

Clemson Now a 5.5-Point Underdog to LSU; Clemson Has Only Lost by 5 or More Points Once Since Nov. 2014
Read More

While We’re Young

Ohio State junior forward Kyle Young has been missing from the Buckeyes’ lineup in recent games due to an appendectomy. As of Monday, he was still considered “day-to-day,” so his status for Tuesday’s game is very much up in the air.

Young, who has started all 13 games he’s played this year, has produced 8.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Buckeyes. It’s probably best to assume he sits this one out.

ATS Analysis

Ohio State is 10-4 against the spread this year, including one straight-up win in its only test as an underdog. That was back on Dec. 4 at North Carolina, when the Buckeyes were three-point underdogs and came away with a resounding 74-49 win.

Ohio State’s three losses are also one of each kind: one on the road, one at a neutral site, and one at home.

Maryland is only 6-8 ATS, losing four of its past five. The Terrapins are also 3-4 as single-digit favorites, which most recently includes a big win over Indiana (75-59).

Decision Time

With a small spread, I’m choosing to (mostly) disregard these teams’ ATS records and focus on Maryland’s dominance inside its home arena.

Tuesday’s game is going to be a whiteout, with prominent alumnus Scott Van Pelt in attendance, and the crowd energy is sure to have the place rocking.

My pick is on the Terrapins to keep rolling at home, picking up an 11th win in a row against a reeling Buckeyes team that will still be without one of its starting forwards.

Pick: Maryland -2.5 (-110)

Author Image