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The Terrapins travel to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes in a ranked battle of top Big 10 teams. Maryland leads the all time series 5-3, and Maryland won the matchup last season 91-73.
Iowa is coming off a 71-69 win at Rutgers on Saturday. On Thursday (2/7) they beat Indiana 77-72 on the road, and on Sunday (2/10) they beat Northwestern 80-79.
Maryland is coming off a 65-52 loss to #7 Michigan. On Wednesday (2/6) they beat Nebraska 60-45 on the road, and last Tuesday (2/12) they beat #15 Purdue 70-56 at home.
On the season, Maryland is 14-12 ATS, 6-3 ATS on the road, and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, Iowa is 12-13 ATS, 9-9 ATS at home, and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
GTBets have Iowa as 2 point favourites with an O/U total of 150.
#21 Iowa Hawkeyes
(20-5 overall, 13-2 at home, 9-5 in conference)
Iowa averages 81.2 PPG, 35.7 RPG, 16.2 APG, 6.6 SPG, 3.4 BPG, and 12.1 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.4% from the field, 75.1% from the free throw line, and 38.0% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 73.0 PPG, 33.5 RPG, 44.3% shooting from the floor, and 31.4% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by combo forward Tyler Cook, who averages 16.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.7 SPG and 0.6 BPG while shooting 55.2% from the floor and 68.6% from the free throw line. Big man Luka Garza chips in 13.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.6 BPG while shooting 52.4/85.3/32.1. Freshman guard Joe Weiskamp puts up 11.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG and 44.9% shooting from 3. Jordan Bohannon (11.4 PPG/2.1 RPG/3.5 APG/40.7% from 3), Isaiah Moss (9.9 PPG/2.6 RPG/2.0 APG/1.0 SPG/45.3% from 3), Nicholas Baer (6.4 PPG/4.6 RPG/1.3 APG/1.2 SPG/1.1 BPG) and Ryan Kriener (5.3 PPG/3.0 RPG/0.9 APG/0.6 SPG) play big minutes as well.
#24 Maryland Terrapins
(19-7 overall, 5-4 on the road, 10-5 in conference)
Maryland averages 72.8 PPG, 40.0 RPG, 13.6 APG, 4.4 SPG, 4.7 BPG, and 13.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 46.2% from the field, 73.7% from the free throw line, and 36.2% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 64.6 PPG, 30.0 RPG, 49.6% shooting from the field, and 31.7% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by guard Anthony Cowan who averages 15.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.5 APG and 1.0 SPG while shooting 39.9% from the field, 83.2% from the free throw line, and 33.1% from 3 point range. Big man Bruno Fernando supplements him with 14.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG and 1.9 BPG while shooting 66.1/75.9/25.0. Jalen Smith chips in 11.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 APG and 1.0 SPG. Eric Ayala (8.8 PPG/2.8 RPG/2.3 APG/44.8% from 3), Aaron Wiggins (8.7 PPG/3.4 RPG/0.8 SPG/42.6% from 3), Darryl Morsell (7.6 PPG/2.9 RPG/1.6 APG) and Serrell Smith (3.6 PPG/1.4 RPG/0.5 APG) contribute as well.
Predictions
Iowa can fill it up on offense, with shooters seemingly coming out of nowhere. They have had a bit of luck on their side as of late, with back to back wins coming on buzzer beater 3s from Jordan Bohannon. Offensively, they can attack you in a multitude of ways, with excellent shooters all over the floor, the convert in transition, as well as the inside/outside potential of Luka Garza and Tyler Cook. Their main concerns will be slowing down the duo of Anthony Cowan and Bruno Fernando.
Cowan has a reputation as an elite perimeter threat, but he’s been streaky as of late, averaging 8.2 PPG and shooting just 24% from 3 point range in his last 5 games while others have picked up the slack. However, those supporting pieces don’t have the experience or versatility a guy like Cowan has, and they need him desperately in a game like this. Maryland plays a tough brand of basketball, slowing the game down and playing excellent on ball defense with a premier rim protector behind them in Fernando.
Iowa’s perimeter based attack bodes well against them, and especially at home where they shoot notably better. This one should be a great match to watch between differing philosophies, but Iowa at home is tough to bet against.
Final Pick: #21 Iowa Hawkeyes (-2)
