Time:<\/strong> 7:00 PM ET \/ 4:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> FS1
Location:<\/strong> Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Spread:<\/strong> Ohio State -2.5 | Total: 146.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Ohio State Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We’re not quite sure where the enthusiasm for Ohio State in the betting market is coming from. The Buckeyes are No. 312 in KenPom’s luck rating this season, so you can say that Ohio State should be a little bit better than their 13-9 record would indicate. That is fair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ohio State does have a pair of overtime losses to Pitt and Indiana on its profile, plus a pair of two-point losses to Oregon and Wisconsin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those looking to back the Buckeyes in this matchup will point toward some positive regression that is owed to Ohio State from those contests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, we would counter that with a look toward some of Ohio State’s shooting numbers. Opponents are shooting 28.7-percent from three-point range against the Buckeyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is bottom-10 in the country and nearly five percent below the national average. As a whole, the Big Ten is shooting 33.9-percent from beyond the arc in conference play. Against the Buckeyes, the conference is shooting 29.9-percent from three-point range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jake Diebler’s defense certainly has something to do with that, but at the same time, it’s fair to say that regression is also on the horizon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Buckeyes are also shooting roughly ten percent better from the free throw line in conference play than they were in non-conference play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, you can point to improvement over the course of the season and that is certainly a factor. But going from 70-percent to 80-percent in the course of a month is quite the healthy leap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ohio State’s win over Purdue in West Lafayette should be recognized and applauded, but what else have the Buckeyes done in conference play to suggest that they should be a 2.5-point favorite in this matchup?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Ohio State Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ohio State’s other four Big Ten wins have come against teams that are below .500 in conference play. Iowa has lost five of its last six games. Penn State has lost eight of its last nine games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those wins aren’t really moving the needle for us, and we haven’t even touched on the most important conference result yet: Maryland beat Ohio State by 24 earlier this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Terps had a poor night from three-point range (7-for-25) and still smacked the Buckeyes. Maryland was up 50-17 at halftime and forced 17 turnovers in the contest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where are the Buckeyes going to be able to close that gap? Maryland is top-25 in the country in both offensive and defensive efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All five of Maryland’s losses this season have been decided by six points or less. Advanced analytics from Bart Torvik and Eric Haslam both have Maryland favored in this matchup, and we’re inclined to agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Ohio State Prediction: Maryland +2.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoldSheet Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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