Maryland vs. Purdue Odds
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+15.5 -110 | 148.5 -110o / -110u | +950 |
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-15.5 -110 | 148.5 -110o / -110u | -1750 |
Maryland and Purdue enter Sunday afternoon's matchup on opposite ends of the Big Ten. Maryland is 11-13 overall and in 12th place in the Big Ten. Purdue 21-4 and 10-4 in the Big Ten, good for third place in the league.
Purdue had gained sole possession of first place in the conference on the strength of a six-game winning streak. However, it found out the hard way that it is difficult to beat a team twice in a week. Purdue was blown out by Michigan 82-58 on Thursday in Ann Arbor after it beat Michigan 82-76 in West Lafayette five days prior. Maryland was also blown on Thursday, 110-87 by Iowa, to drop its fourth-straight game.
Both teams will be looking to get the bad taste out of its mouth, and with both struggling on the defensive end, we could see a lot of points on the board.
Terrapins Struggle on Both Ends of Court
Maryland will not strike fear into many opponents on the offensive end. It ranks 232nd in effective field goal and 2-point field goal percentage as well as 210th in 3-point percentage. The Terrapins get to the foul line at a solid clip, 20 attempts per game, and knock down 75% of them. Overall, the Terrapins are 93rd in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Guard Eric Ayala leads the team with 15.2 points per game to go along with 4.6 rebounds. Point guard Fatts Russell averages 13.2 points, four rebounds and 3.8 assists. Forward Donta Scott averages 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Guard Hakim Hart averages 9.8 points and 1.5 steals. He makes two-thirds of his 2-point opportunities.
Maryland operates at a slow pace offensively. It ranks 256th in average possession length at 18.1 seconds and 198th in adjusted tempo. However, its games still end up high scoring because of its porous defense.
Maryland is 234th in scoring defense, allowing 71.1 points per game, and 290th in defensive rating. It does not do much to disrupt its opponent, ranking 258th in steal percentage and 332nd in turnover percentage.
The Terrapins are also 239th in three point percentage defense. That could prove problematic against Purdue.
Boilermakers Dominant Offensively
The Boilermakers are led by their big three of Jaden Ivey, Trevion Williams and Zach Edey. The bigger of the three are Williams and Edey, who share the frontcourt. Edey averages 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while Williams averages 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Meanwhile, Ivey is one of the most explosive players in the country. He leads Purdue in scoring at 17.7 points per game, sixth in the Big Ten, to go with five rebounds and 3.2 assists.
The Boilermakers are third nationally in effective field goal percentage and seventh in 2-point field goal percentage. Purdue is also one of the best 3-point shooting teams at 40.5%, third nationally.
Purdue has seven players who shoot 40% from deep or better. Ethan Morton leads the team at 47.8% while Sasha Stefanovic leads the team in makes with 64 triples on the year. Stefanovic also averages 11.6 points and a team-leading 3.6 assists.
Purdue has the most efficient offense in the country. However as good as it is on the offensive end, it is just bad defensively. Purdue is 128th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 242nd in defensive rating. Purdue is 318th in steals percentage and 343rd in turnover percentage. The Boilermakers are also 212th in 3-point percentage, however, Maryland is not a great 3-point shooting team.
Maryland vs. Purdue Betting Pick
Purdue will be able to pick how it wants to attack Maryland's porous defense. Edey and Williams should have a field day on the inside. Ivey will be attacking off the bounce and kicking to shooters. If Purdue has an average shooting night, it will run up a big number on Maryland from beyond the arc. Purdue may not put up 110, but it should have little trouble scoring against Maryland.
Meanwhile, Maryland is not exactly the best offensive team in the country. However, neither is Michigan and it averaged 79 points against Purdue in the two recent meetings. In the game sandwiched them, the Wolverines scored 58 at Penn State.
Purdue struggles against dribble penetration and Russell and Ayala will have success attacking off the bounce. That will help Maryland contribute to the total. At 148.5, my play will be on the over.
