Maryland Terrapins vs Michigan State Spartans – NCAA Basketball – February 26, 2025
The Maryland Terrapins host the Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday night at the XFINITY Center in College Park. The game tips off at 6:30 PM ET and is a key Big Ten matchup between two of the conference’s top teams. Michigan State holds the top spot with a 22-5 record (13-3 in the Big Ten), while Maryland is close behind at 21-6 (11-5 in conference play).
These teams last met on February 3, 2024, when Michigan State won 63-54 at home. The Spartans have won the last six matchups against Maryland, but none by more than 10 points. Both teams come into this game in great form, with Michigan State winning back-to-back games against ranked opponents, and Maryland riding a four-game winning streak.
Maryland Preview – Can “The Crab Five” Keep Rolling?
Maryland’s starting unit, known as “The Crab Five,” has been leading the charge. The group consists of Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Selton Miguel, Derik Queen, Julian Reese, and Rodney Rice, and they combine to average 70.4 points per game. This is the highest-scoring starting lineup in any power conference this season.
The Terrapins have won eight of their last nine games, thanks in large part to the scoring and efficiency of their starters. In Maryland’s recent 88-71 win over Southern California, all five starters scored in double figures. Coach Kevin Willard is not concerned about bench production, as the starters have consistently delivered.
Derik Queen leads Maryland with 15.9 points per game. The frontcourt duo of Queen and Reese has been highly effective, shooting over 64% from the field during the team’s winning streak. Maryland’s focus will be on maintaining their offensive rhythm and exploiting Michigan State’s defense with strong inside play.
Michigan State Preview – Spartans Look to Maintain Big Ten Lead
Michigan State sits atop the Big Ten standings with a 22-5 record. The Spartans have been solid on the road, posting a 5-2 away record this season. They are fresh off impressive wins against Purdue and Michigan, which helped them climb to No. 8 in the national rankings.
Freshman Jase Richardson has been a standout, averaging 17.2 points per game over the last five contests. His scoring surge has lightened the load on Jaden Akins, who contributes 13.0 points per game. Coach Tom Izzo praised Richardson’s development, noting his impact on both ends of the floor.
The Spartans’ strength lies in their depth, particularly in the frontcourt. Their rotation includes Szymon Zapala, Carson Cooper, Xavier Booker, and Jaxon Kohler. This group combines for 23.8 points and 19.1 rebounds per game. Michigan State will aim to use this depth to counter Maryland’s potent starting lineup.
Betting Prediction
The game is expected to be tight, with Michigan State likely entering as a slight road favorite. The over/under is projected around 135 points, reflecting Maryland’s strong offense and Michigan State’s balanced approach. The Spartans have covered the spread in 23 of their last 35 games, while Maryland has won 17 of their last 20 home games outright.
Maryland’s home-court advantage is significant, as they hold a 16-1 record at the XFINITY Center. However, Michigan State’s depth and momentum give them an edge. The predicted score is Michigan State 70, Maryland 65, with the Spartans covering the spread in a close contest.
Pick: Michigan State Spartans -2.5
