The Maryland Terrapins and Iowa Hawkeyes will meet in the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. The Terrapins got a win in the opening round of the tournament, taking advantage of some woeful offense from Oregon, while Iowa will try to improve their NCAA Tournament prospects with a win here. Before tip-off from Chicago, you can find my Maryland vs Iowa prediction right here.
Our Maryland vs Iowa Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes @ Maryland Terrapins
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland
- Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Key Storylines
The biggest storyline entering this contest is the rubber match set to take place here. Maryland shocked Iowa earlier in the season with a 77-70 victory that snapped a six-game Hawkeyes winning streak. The Terrapins shot over 53% from the field in that game and dominated the boards, proving they can compete when their offense finds rhythm. But Iowa won the first matchup between these teams this season, and the winner of this game will advance and win their season series.
For Iowa, the focus is consistency. The Hawkeyes have been one of the better offensive teams in the conference and typically control games with efficient shooting and experienced guard play. Their earlier loss to Maryland largely came from cold outside shooting and a late scoring drought. Expect a more aggressive approach this time around.
Key Players
Maryland Terrapins
- Andre Mills – The freshman guard has quickly become one of Maryland’s most exciting players. He scored 24 points in the earlier victory over Iowa and has emerged as a go-to scorer for the Terrapins.
- David Coit – The veteran guard averages about 14 points per game and provides instant offense. He scored 19 points in the previous meeting and has the ability to swing games with perimeter shooting.
- Elijah Saunders – A versatile forward who contributes scoring and rebounding. Saunders added 12 points and 8 rebounds in the earlier win over Iowa and provides needed frontcourt stability.
Iowa Hawkeyes
- Bennett Stirtz – Iowa’s offensive engine. The guard scored 32 points with six assists in the last meeting and averages around 20 points per game while also leading the team in assists.
- Tavion Banks – A physical forward who impacts the glass and interior scoring. Banks recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds in the previous matchup with Maryland.
Stat Comparison
| Category | Iowa | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 75.4 | 69.9 |
| Points allowed per game | 65.8 | 76.6 |
| Team Field Goal % | 49% | 41% |
| Rebounds per game | 29.7 | 35.4 |
| Assists per game | 15.2 | 10.5 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- These teams are 1-1 against each other this season.
- Maryland is 14-17 against the spread so far this season.
- Iowa holds a record of 18-13 against the spread this year.
Maryland vs Iowa Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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