The Maryland Terrapins (10-4, 1-2 Big Ten) battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-4, 2-1) Thursday. Tip from Jersey Mike’s Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Maryland vs. Rutgers odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 65-64 win over No. 1 Purdue Monday, handing the Boilermakers their 1st loss of the season. Rutgers covered as 8.5-point road underdogs and is 10-4 against the spread (ATS) this season. The Scarlet Knights have covered 4 straight games, 3 of which they were at least 9-point favorites. Rutgers ranks top 5 in opponents’ FG percentage (36.3%) and opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (25%).
The Terrapins are a solid 9-5 ATS on the season. They were destroyed by the Michigan Wolverines 81-46 Sunday as 1-point road underdogs. Maryland, despite its season-long record, has failed to cover 3 of its last 4. Its strength is also defense as it sits 42nd in opponents’ FG percentage (39.7%) and 18th in opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (28.2%).
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Maryland at Rutgers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maryland +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Rutgers -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maryland +5.5 (-105) | Rutgers -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Maryland at Rutgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rutgers 70, Maryland 61
Moneyline
PASS.
Rutgers is a strong 9-1 straight up at home while Maryland is 1-2 on the road. At these odds, stay away from the moneyline entirely as (-280) for the home favorite isn’t worth the risk.
Against the spread
LEAN RUTGERS -5.5 (-115).
While Rutgers has been surging, taking down Purdue, Maryland has taken a step back, covering just 1 of its last 4 games. The Terrapins lost as 2-point home favorites against UCLA Dec. 14 to start off this rough patch. They are just 1-2 ATS in conference play as well.
The Maryland attack also sits 312th in 3-point shooting percentage (30.8%), so scoring in bunches from deep will be limited. For the Scarlet Knights, they are 10-4 ATS this season and have covered 4 in a row, 3 of which were at home. They are 3-0 ATS in Big Ten action as well.
Considering the trends coupled with the weak Maryland offense, back RUTGERS -5.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 131.5 (-115).
If there’s 1 thing both teams are good at, it is covering the Under for bettors. Maryland is 4-10 O/U while Rutgers is 6-8 O/U.
Maryland has scored just 53 points per game against its last 3 Power 5 opponents, which is not promising. It has gone Under in 7 of its last 8 games as well. Rutgers, with 1 of the most efficient defenses in the nation, has gone under in 5 of its last 8. It is 0-3 O/U in Big Ten action.
Ultimately, back the UNDER 131.5 (-115).
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