Time:<\/strong> 7:39 PM ET \/ 4:39 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> TBS
Location:<\/strong> Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Spread:<\/strong> Florida -6.5 | Total: 157.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Florida Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When the dust settled on last weekend’s results and the Sweet Sixteen field was made clear, we entered this week prepared to back Maryland plus the points in this matchup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terps head coach Kevin Willard threw one heckuva curve ball into those plans. Villanova fired former head coach Kyle Neptune on March 15, and while other teams in the Big East have made some splashy hires, the Wildcats have been strangely quiet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, it’s now pretty apparent that they knew who they wanted all along. Maryland’s athletic department was thrown into turmoil at the end of last week when athletic director Damon Evans announced that he was leaving for SMU. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With his current team still in the NCAA Tournament, Willard (allegedly!) has one foot out the door and the Terps do not have an athletic director to help weather the storm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland’s best player is true freshman Derik Queen, who hit the game-winning buzzer-beater against Colorado State last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Queen has a tremendous amount of talent, but asking a freshman to hold a team together under quirky circumstances is a tough ask. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of backing Maryland plus the points, we’re a little more interested in the over. We backed the over in Florida’s win over UConn, which was probably the luckiest cover we’ll see all season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Huskies and Gators combined for 54 points over the final nine minutes, and we thank them for their efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
UConn did a fantastic job of slowing that game to a crawl, but we’re not sure Maryland can (or wants to) do the same. Both teams are top-65 in pace, but the biggest issue for Maryland is depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Terps were No. 319 in bench usage this season, and Coach Willard has shrunk that bench down even farther over the last couple weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland’s starting five each played at least 33 minutes in Sunday’s win over Colorado State, and the Terps’ bench played a combined total of 21 minutes. Maryland’s bench combined for two points, no rebounds and one assist in those 21 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Florida can get the Terps into some foul trouble, then Maryland will be in danger of getting blown out. Florida forced UConn to commit 21 fouls on Sunday as three Huskies finished with four fouls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Florida Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The faster Florida plays, the more possessions that we’ll see. The more possessions that we’ll see, the more opportunities for Maryland to commit fouls and force Willard to go to his bench. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gators are much deeper and can afford an absence or two if someone gets into foul trouble. Maryland cannot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Florida’s offense has been able to beat just about every defense that opponents have thrown their way. The Gators’ last nine games have all gone over the total. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is any kind of lapse in coaching or focus or effort because of the Willard situation, it\u2019s likely to appear on the defensive end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maryland vs Florida Prediction: Over 157<\/h3>\n\n\n\nFREE March Madness Betting Guide Now Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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