Maryland Terrapins (11-6) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (12-4)
January 17, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats -3.5; Over/Under: +128
(Get latest betting odds)
The Maryland Terrapins and the Northwestern Wildcats meet in college basketball action from the Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday night. Two 3-win teams in the Big Ten play go at it here, who gets win #4? Let’s dive in and find out with our Maryland vs. Northwestern Prediction.
Maryland Team Preview
The Maryland Terrapins come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 76-67 win over Illinois last time out. Jahmir Young leads the Terrapins in scoring and assists with 19.9 PPG and 4 APG while Julian Reese has 13.8 PPG and a team-high 9.8 RPG to lead the Terrapins on the glass. Donta Scott has 10.7 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 70.9 PPG on 41.1% shooting from the field, 27.5% from three and 70.1% from the foul line up to this point in the year. Maryland will take on Michigan State, Iowa, and Nebraska after this game.
Northwestern Team Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats will be out to bounce back after a 71-63 loss to Wisconsin last time out. Boo Buie leads the Wildcats in scoring and assists with 18.3 PPG and 4.9 APG while Brooks Barnhizer has 13.8 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead the Wildcats on the glass. Ryan Langborg has 11.4 PPG with 2.8 RPG and 2.6 APG while Ty Berry has 11.7 PPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Northwestern so far this season. As a team, Northwestern is averaging 73 PPG on 47% shooting from the field, 37.1% from three and 72.4% from the foul line this season.
Maryland vs. Northwestern Prediction
I get the case to be made for Maryland here as they have the best defense in the Big Ten, but I think I’d need a couple more points to consider the Terps here. Northwestern’s been playing their best basketball at home by a fair margin and in the Big Ten, home court is weighted the most among almost any other conference. I think we have an exciting one brewing here, but in the end, I think Northwestern grabs the win and cover.
