A defensive struggle should be expected when the Wisconsin Badgers (10-6, 3-2 Big 10) and the No. 17 Maryland Terrapins (13-3, 3-2 Big 10) go head-to-head at Kohl Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.
Maryland Terrapins at Wisconsin Badgers Free Prediction
In the Terrapins’ last matchup, they were blown out by the Iowa Hawkeyes, 67-49. Iowa’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Hawkeyes had more offensive rebounds (15 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 23) and total rebounds (44 vs. 32). Jalen Smith led Maryland in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
The Badgers defeated the No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions in their last game, 58-49. The Badgers held the Nittany Lions to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.2 (below their season average of 32.4) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.375 (below their season average of 0.512). Micah Potter was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field.
Wisconsin figures to have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. The Badgers currently rank 96th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.464), while Maryland is 296th in effective field goal percentage (0.474). Moreover, the Terrapins are among the NCAA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 34th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.6 percent). The Badgers, meanwhile, rank 32nd at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.6 percent.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Badgers won the last contest 69-61. The Badgers had a much better free throw rate (0.286 vs. 0.054) and had a much better turnover percentage (6.3 vs. 16.8).
Maryland Terrapins vs. Wisconsin Badgers Odds Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Wisconsin ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (17.9) while Maryland ranks 203rd (23.7).
The Terrapins rank 12th in rebounds per game (41.5) while the Badgers rank 181st (34.6).
Wisconsin ranks 44th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while Maryland ranks 130th (4.1).
The Badgers rank 31st in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Terrapins rank 109th (12.3).
Wisconsin ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Maryland ranks 83rd (6.3).
The Terrapins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 11.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Badgers have scored an average of 64.4 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 52.4 points per game (7.8 below their season average).