Maryland Terrapins (10-6) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (12-3)
January 14, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Illinois Fighting Illini -9; Over/Under: +139
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The Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet in college basketball action from the State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon. Can Maryland get back to .500 in Big Ten play? Or will Illinois keep the train rolling at home? Let’s dive in and find out with our Maryland vs. Illinois Prediction.
Maryland Team Preview
The Maryland Terrapins come into this one looking to build on a 64-57 win over Michigan last time out. Jahmir Young leads the Terrapins in scoring and assists with 19.3 PPG and 3.7 APG while Julian Reese has 13.4 PPG and a team-high 9.7 RPG to lead the Terrapins on the glass. Donta Scott has 10.8 PPG with 5.1 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Maryland up to this point in the year. As a team, Maryland is averaging 70.6 PPG on 40.7% shooting from the field, 27.7% from three and 70.1% from the foul line up to this point in the year.
Illinois Team Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this one looking to build on a 71-68 win over Michigan State last time out. Terrence Shannon Jr. leads the Illini with 21.7 PPG but remains suspended due to an off-court matter. Marcus Domask has 14.1 PPG with 4.6 RPG and a team-high 3.3 APG to lead Illinois in assists while Quincy Guerrier has 11.4 PPG with a team-high 7.5 RPG to lead the Illini in rebounding this season. Coleman Hawkins has 10.8 PPG with 5.5 RPG to finish off the scoring in double digits for Illinois this season. As a team, Illinois is averaging 82.7 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 34.9% from three and 72.5% from the foul line this season.
Maryland vs. Illinois Prediction
I’m on Illinois here. This Illini team is just a different team at home, and even with the absence of Terrence Shannon Jr., the Illini just keep going on business as usual. Maryland has a nice defense but have the worst offense in the Big Ten so far this season and are just not a team I am looking to back to upend Illinois at home. Give me the Illini in this one.
