The Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-21) will face the Maryland Terrapins (20-11) Thursday in the 2nd round of the Big Ten tournament at United Center in Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Minnesota vs. Maryland odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Golden Gophers covered as 5.5-point underdogs in Wednesday’s 78-75 win over Nebraska. Minnesota has won only 2 of its last 10 contests.
The Terrapins lost 65-64 to Penn State on Sunday despite covering as 3.5-point road underdogs. Maryland has gone 6-4 in its last 10 games.
Minnesota and Maryland will be squaring off for the 3rd time this season. The Terrapins won both games — 81-46 on Feb. 4 and 88-70 on Feb. 22 –and covered the spread in both while the Over/Under split.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
THE BRACKETS ARE BACK! The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back! $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $25,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
[betwidget_tipico]
[betwidget_gambbetmgmsb]
[betwidget_gambfanduelsb]
Minnesota vs. Maryland odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Minnesota +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Maryland -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Minnesota +13.5 (-115) | Maryland -13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $5,000 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
Minnesota vs. Maryland picks and predictions
Prediction
Maryland 76, Minnesota 62
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Terrapins are massive favorites on Thursday, but taking them straight up at the current odds (-900) isn’t worth the risk.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
LEAN MARYLAND -13.5 (-105).
The Terrapins beat the Golden Gophers by 18-plus points in the 1st two meetings and they are 12-8 ATS in their 20 conference games this season. Maryland is also 4-1 ATS in its last 5 neutral-site games.
Over/Under
With Minnesota’s defense giving up 70.9 points per game (204th in the nation), OVER 132.5 (-110) is the pick in this Big Ten matchup. Minnesota has also scored 67-plus points in 6 straight games.
The Golden Gophers are 7-0 to the Over in their last 7 games overall, while the Terrapins are 4-1 to the Over in their last 5 neutral-site games.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]