The Maryland Terrapins (10-8, 4-7 Big Ten) visit the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-8, 3-7) Friday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Maryland-Penn State college basketball odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Maryland at Penn State: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Maryland +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Penn State -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Maryland +3.5 (-110) | Penn State -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 144.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Maryland at Penn State: Three things to know
- Maryland rallied to beat Purdue 61-60 Tuesday but failed to cover the spread as a 3-point favorite. The Terrapins scored the final 6 points, concluding with junior PG Eric Ayala’s two free throws with 3 seconds left for the comeback victory. Ayala’s 13.8 points per game leads three Terrapins in double figures.
- Penn State lost at No. 20 Wisconsin 72-56 Tuesday (ranking courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports). The Nittany Lions, who were 8.5-point underdogs, only trailed 33-31 at the half but were outscored 19-4 in the first 8 minutes of the second half. Junior G Myreon Jones’ 15.6 PPG leads three Lions in double figures.
- Penn State won the lone meeting between the two rivals last season, knocking of a fourth-ranked Maryland club 76-69 in State College, Pa. The Lions have won the last two in the head-to-head series.
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Maryland at Penn State: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Penn State 78, Maryland 73
Money line (ML)
PASS. Penn State isn’t good enough to back with a -175 money line wager in a conference game. The Terrapins could steal a victory here, but they are 0-fer in their last four Bryce Jordan Center visits.
Against the spread (ATS)
Back PENN STATE -3.5 (-110) with a THREE-QUARTER (75%)-UNIT bet. As mentioned above, the Lions have won their last four home games vs. the Terrapins. The problem is that PSU has outscored opponents by only 3.1 PPG on its home floor.
As long as this season’s alternating win-loss trends continue for both squads, Penn State ends the night with a W.
The Terrapins have alternated wins and losses in their last five games, while the Lions have traded wins and losses in their last four.
- Maryland’s current run: W-L-W-L-W-?
- Penn State’s current run: W-L-W-L-?
ATS: Maryland 7-10 | Penn State 7-7
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 144.5 (-110) is the way to go. Penn State’s defense yields 76.0 PPG and a Swiss cheese-like 47.1% field goal percentage. Plus, the Over is 4-1 in PSU’s last five home games.
Meanwhile, Maryland’s defense can’t stop the 3, surrendering a 34.9% percentage behind the arc. I’d be surprised if both teams don’t score 70-plus points apiece.
O/U records: Maryland 9-7-1 | Penn State 7-7
Note: Neither team is worthy of a STRONGEST PLAY grade – 1½ times your usual wager – in any option on this card.
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| Johnny’s 2020-21 CBK record / Strongest plays | 52-41-1 / 23-23 |
| CBK record since Jan. 1 / Strongest plays | 37-24-1 / 18-13 |
| 2021 overall record (all sports) / Strongest plays | 50-30-1 / 26-15 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) / Strongest plays | 178-147-4 / 87-61-1 |
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