Maryland at Michigan State College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/4/2018

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Breslin Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Maryland Terrapins travel to Breslin Center to play the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday, January 4, 2018. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 14 point favorites.

Maryland heads into this matchup with a mark of 13-3. They currently have a point differential of 14.9 as they are averaging 77.9 points per contest while giving up 63.0 per game. Michigan State has an overall mark of 14-1. They are averaging 87.7 points per contest and giving up 61.4, which is a point differential of 26.3.

Valuable Maryland Terrapins Betting Trends

The Maryland Terrapins are 8-4 against the spread this season

The Maryland Terrapins are 6-6 against the over/under this year

Important Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 10-5 against the spread this season

The Michigan State Spartans are 8-6 against the over/under this year

Key Maryland Terrapins Injuries

12/31/17 F Ivan Bender Knee is out for season
12/28/17 F Justin Jackson Shoulder is out for season

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/08/17 G Kyle Ahrens Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kevin Huerter averages 14.1 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.6 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%. Anthony Cowan averages 15.6 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Nick Ward averages 15.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 18.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.5 rebounds per contest and 0.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 72% and his free throw percentage is 61%. Miles Bridges averages 17 points per game while playing 28.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.7 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Terrapins allow 63.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the nation. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.4 rebounds a game which ranks 15th, and they give up 11.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 40th place in the country. They force 12.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 56th in college basketball. Maryland averages 77.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 106th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 14.9 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 35th. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 47th in D-1. They average 40.3 rebounds per game and 14.9 assists per game, which ranks them 36th and 126th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 15.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spartans surrender 61.4 points per contest, which ranks them 14th in the country. Their defense allows a 33% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 114th in those defensive statistics. They rank 73rd with 11.6 assists allowed per contest, and 17th with 30.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spartans are 84th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.5 per game this season. Michigan State is 13th in Division 1 with 87.7 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the country in shooting at 53%, while their average scoring margin is 26.3. They shoot 41% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the nation. They are 4th in college basketball in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game and 1st in assists per contest with 21.7. The Spartans are 106th in turnovers per game with 14.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Terrapins are 57th in the nation in offensive rating with 111.9, and their defensive rating of 90.6 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 261st in the country with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 39th. As a team they are 22nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 155th in Division 1. Maryland is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 43%, which is 6th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Michigan State is 129th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 39%, which is 1st in Division 1. The Spartans are 6th in the nation in defensive rating with 85.8, and their offensive rating of 122.6 is ranked 4th. They are 142nd in D-1 in pace with 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 60% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 63% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 219th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Maryland/Michigan State college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Michigan State -14

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