Maryland visits Nebraska on Thursday night for a key Big Ten matchup at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Terrapins enter at 18-6 and sit sixth in the conference standings. The Cornhuskers are 16-8 and in ninth place but have won four straight games.
The last meeting between these teams was a close one, with Maryland winning 69-66 at home on January 19. Nebraska has been hot lately, led by Brice Williams, who has scored at least 20 points in four straight games. Maryland is also in good form, winning four of its last five games and sitting as a projected No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland Preview – Can the Offense Keep Rolling?
Maryland’s offense has been led by Derik Queen, who scored a career-high 29 points in the team’s win over Rutgers. The freshman also grabbed 15 rebounds and added five assists. He leads a balanced attack, with five players averaging double figures.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, and Selton Miguel have been key contributors as well. Gillespie had 22 points in the last matchup against Nebraska and leads the team in assists. Julian Reese has been strong in the post, averaging 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
Maryland has had success scoring the ball but struggles on the road. The team is just 2-5 in away games this season. Defensively, the Terrapins rank well in blocks and steals but will need to contain Nebraska’s top scorers.
Nebraska Preview – Can Williams Lead the Way?
Nebraska’s offense is centered around Brice Williams, who has been on a hot streak. He has scored 20 or more points in four straight games, including 24 in a win over Ohio State. He was named AP National Player of the Week for his performances in late January.
Juwan Gary and Connor Essegian provide secondary scoring, averaging 13.1 and 11.0 points per game. Andrew Morgan stepped up in the last game against Maryland with 17 points off the bench. Nebraska’s offense has been less balanced than Maryland’s, with only three players averaging more than eight points.
The Cornhuskers have been strong at home, holding a 10-2 record at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Their defense allows 71.2 points per game and struggles against strong three-point shooting teams. Nebraska will need to slow down Maryland’s guards to secure another win.
Betting Prediction
Maryland is favored slightly in this matchup, but Nebraska’s recent form makes them a tough opponent. The Cornhuskers have been strong at home and have a star in Brice Williams, who is playing at a high level. Maryland, however, has more scoring options and won the previous meeting between these teams.
Both teams have trends that favor the over, with Maryland hitting it in 20 of its last 33 games. Nebraska has also covered the spread well this season. This should be a close game, but Nebraska’s home-court advantage gives them a slight edge.
Pick: Nebraska Cornhuskers +1.5
Nebraska finds a way in this one over a tough Maryland Terrapins squad. Look for a good one in the Big Ten.
