Illinois at Maryland odds, picks and predictions
The No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (18-6, 9-4 Big Ten) head to XFINITY Center to face the Maryland Terrapins (14-11, 6-8) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Maryland odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois, which is No. 14 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, dismantled the Michigan Wolverines in Champaign Tuesday, 97-68. It covered the spread as a 15-point favorite, and the Over (153) hit. Senior G Terrence Shannon Jr. had his 3rd 30+ point performance on 5-of-8 shooting from long range. He got help from senior F Coleman Hawkins, who gave the Fighting Illini 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. Illinois has lost 2 of its last 3 Big Ten road games.
The Terrapins snapped a 3-game losing streak Wednesday night against the Iowa Hawkeyes, 78-66. They covered as 5.5-point favorites, and the Under (148.5) hit. Junior F Julian Reese notched his 4th double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) in his last 5 games. They were led in scoring by senior G Jahmir Young's 21 points. Maryland is 4-3 at home in Big Ten play this season.
In a Jan. 14 meeting, Maryland covered as a 9-point road underdog with a 76-67 victory as the Over (138) hit. The Terps have won 8 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings with the Fighting Illini.
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Illinois at Maryland odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois -134 (bet $134 to win $100) | Maryland +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois -2.5 (-102) | Maryland +2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Illinois at Maryland picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 74, Maryland 70
Moneyline
PASS.
I'm confident the Fighting Illini (-134) get this road victory, but I'd rather save my bet for the spread with the better odds.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS -2.5 (-102).
The Terrapins have been a thorn in Illinois' side basically since Maryland came into the Big Ten. Maryland has won 8 of the last 10 straight up in this series, but this is a game the Fighting Illini need to win. They want to hold onto 2nd place and stay within striking distance of Purdue in the conference.
Illinois has won 4 of its last 5, while Maryland has lost 3 of its last 4. It will ride that heater into this game in College Park.
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Over/Under
The total is hard to handicap between these teams, which is why I'm going to stay away. Illinois has gone Over in 8 of its last 10 games, while the Terrapins have been Under in 6 of their last 7 games. In the last 10 head-to-head matchups, the Over is 5-4-1. I see this bet as a coin flip, so I'm going to AVOID.
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