Neighboring states have not played since the 2015 NCAA Tournament, and this year’s bracket March Madness pitted the West Virginia Mountaineers, seeded ninth, against the Maryland Terrapins, seeded eighth. These NCAA basketball teams will again meet nearly seven years from their last date on the NCAAB schedule.
Though the current odds to win March Madness do not favor either team with the likely No.1 overall seeded Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round, this game will be highly entertaining. Here is broadcast information, NCAAB odds, an analysis of each team, and a West Virginia vs Maryland prediction.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins Odds
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins Information
West Virginia Mountaineers vs Maryland Terrapins
Location: Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Birmingham, AL
Date and Time: Thursday, March 16, 2023, 12:15 PM ET
How to Watch: CBS
Updates for Maryland Terrapins vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
The college basketball injury report shows the Mountaineers are likely without forward Mohamed Wague (foot) and guard Josiah Davis (wrist). Meanwhile, Maryland has a clean injury report.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview
The first of many NCAA basketball games today is a quality matchup. The odds favor the Mountaineers at -2 (-115), while betting on Maryland at +2 comes with -105 odds. The over/under is 137.5 points, with -110 odds on either side. West Virginia’s moneyline is -135, while Maryland’s is +115.
West Virginia’s implied team total is 70 points, while Maryland’s is 68 points at -115 odds on either side.
Kevin Willard did a great job in his first season at Maryland (21-12) and finished fifth in the Big Ten college basketball standings. Bob Huggins produced another winner at West Virginia with a 19-14 campaign but finished eighth in the Big 12, which was regarded as the best league in the country.
The Terrapins ranked 34th in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted offensive efficiency and 33rd in adjusted defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers were 15th and 53rd, respectively.
West Virginia ranked 63rd in the country in scoring 76.7 points per game. It made 45.5% of field goal attempts, which ranked 124th, and 35.2% of 3-point shots, which ranked 129th.
Maryland’s Tough Defense Poses Challenges for Mountaineers in Matchup
The Mountaineers got a difficult matchup against Maryland’s defense, which was 27th in holding teams to 63.2 points per game, 98th in limiting opponents to 42.4% on field goal attempts, and 63rd in holding them to 31.8% of 3-point shots.
Maryland has a handful of great college basketball players led by Jahmir Young, who averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Fellow guard Hakim Hart is a handful, while forwards Julien Reese and Donta Scott are difficult matchups for anyone.
The Mountaineers don’t really have the size to compete, so the patented full-court pressure will be key to forcing turnovers and getting the Terrapins uncomfortable, a strategy Willard’s group typically inflicts on their opponents.
The similarities between the two make a West Virginia vs Maryland prediction that much more difficult.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins Betting Prediction
Those making college basketball picks seem to like the Mountaineers, as 60% of public bets are on them to cover the spread. However, the over/under is split among those picks made available.
Neither team was lights out away from home. The Mountaineers were 3-8 in true road games, while Maryland was 2-9. Both teams were 3-2 on a neutral court.
Those making March Madness bets would have been profitable off the Terrapins in the regular season. The Terps were 21-12 against the spread, though 11-21-1 on over/unders. They were 5-7 against the spread as underdogs and 11-8 against the spread against teams above .500.
West Virginia was 17-16 against the spread and 21-12 on over/unders. It was 12-6 against the spread as favorites and 12-12 against teams above .500.
But Maryland’s size will be too much. Here is our West Virginia vs Maryland prediction.
Betting on this event:
Bet on Maryland to deliver at +115. As for the correct score, go with Maryland 68 – 64 West Virginia.
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