The Purdue Boilermakers (12-3) still have a two-game lead in the Big Ten college basketball standings, but things got just a little bit tighter in the conference following Sunday’s 64-58 loss to Northwestern. Things don’t get any easier for Matt Painter’s team on Thursday against a Maryland Terrapins (8-6) team that has won five of their last six.
Maryland aims for an upset of the #3 team in the country on Thursday night’s NCAAB schedule, and they matched up well with the Boilermakers on January 22 in a 58-55 loss in West LaFaytte. These two schools have actually split their last six meetings heading into Purdue vs Maryland picks.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Maryland Terrapins Odds
Oddsmakers have lost a little faith in Purdue on the NCAAB odds, making them just a -1.5 favorite in this matchup. The meeting last month was a little closer than expected, as the Boilermakers had to grind out a three-point win as -9 point favorites, although they never did trail in that contest.
Purdue is going to be one of the more popular wagers of all the NCAA basketball games today as the -1.5 point spread seems incredibly low, almost like a trap. Make no mistake, the Terrapins are playing well, but the Boilermakers are legit March Madness picks as the potential national champions.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Maryland Terrapins Matchup Information
Purdue Boilermakers vs Maryland Terrapins
Location of the Game: XFINITY Center, College Park MD
Date and Time: Thursday, February 16, 2023, 6:30 PM ET
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview
Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers odds definitely have Sunday’s loss to Northwestern factored in, as well as the February 4th 79-74 defeat at rival Indiana. Purdue has now dropped two straight road games, and aside from a blowout over last-place Minnesota, also had close games at Michigan (75-70) and Michigan State (64-63) recently.
Purdue will always be considered a strong play considering they have one of the most dominant college basketball players in the country in Zach Edey, who had 24 points in the loss to Northwestern. The Boilermakers’ problem is they aren’t giving a ton of help to Edey, as Braden Smith was the only other player to score in double figures against the Wildcats, and he shot 1-7 from the field.
The Boilermakers scoring just 58 points in their last outing is disappointing for the No.4 scoring team in the Big Ten, but Northwestern also has the No.3 defense in the country. The only problem with that is Maryland is No.4.
Maryland Terrapins
Kevin Willard’s program knows what it needs to do in the Purdue vs Maryland picks, and that’s to stop Edey. That’s easier said than done, but the 7’4″ big man had 24 points and 16 rebounds in the first meeting and was the only Boilermaker to score a field goal in the last 15 minutes.
Another thing Maryland needs in Thursday’s NCAAB picks is more production from leading scorer Jahmir Young, who was held scoreless over the first 25 minutes in last month’s meeting and finished with just 10 points. Young has bounced back well recently on the Maryland Terrapins schedule, scoring 17+ points in five of six games.
Maryland does have the benefit of being at home (as well as a clean college basketball injury report), where they are one of the best NCAA basketball teams in the country, going 13-1 on the season. That lone loss at the XFINITY Center was an 87-60 blowout to UCLA, who is up to No.4 in the country.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Maryland Terrapins Betting Picks
It is very tempting to pull the trigger on the Boilermakers -1.5 in Thursday’s Purdue vs Maryland picks, and even the -130 moneyline has incredible value as it’s not often the No.3 team in the nation has that price tag regardless of who or where they are playing.
Being a successful bettor takes discipline, and with Purdue looking like too easy of a play, it probably is. If Maryland can get Edey into foul trouble, the Boilermakers haven’t shown a lot of secondary scoring lately, and the Terrapins have also been really good at home this season, going 13-1 in front of their own fans – who will be amped up for this one.
- Pick: Maryland +1.5
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