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Minnesota vs. Maryland Prediction and Odds (Terps Playing Much Better Than Record Suggests)

By Matt De Saro

The Maryland Terrapins have posted a few very impressive wins recently and feel like a sure bet to cover against Minnesota.
The Maryland Terrapins have posted a few very impressive wins recently and feel like a sure bet to cover against Minnesota. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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The Big Ten is so full of good teams that two teams that are right around .500 are 11th and 13th in the conference standings. Those two teams in particular at the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-14) and the Maryland Terrapins (14-15). They both obviously have terrible conference records, but they are far from bad teams. And, they match up relatively well heading into this Wednesday night showdown. 

The Terps are coming off a shocking upset win over the No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes in what was one of their best games in recent memory. Maryland also lost to No. 3 Purdue by just one point a couple of weeks back. I definitely see a world where the Ohio State win rejuvenated this team enough to finish strong against Minnesota and at Michigan State over the weekend. 

The Gophers, on the other hand, got crushed by Ohio State 70-45 a few weeks ago and lost to Penn State and Nebraska. Two teams that Maryland recently beat.

Here are the odds for this Big Ten battle, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Minnesota vs. Maryland Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Minnesota +7.5 (-110)
  • Maryland -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Minnesota +225
  • Maryland -280

Total: 136.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Minnesota vs. Maryland Prediction and Pick

Despite the fact that these two teams have similar records, they are playing like teams at opposite ends of the rankings. Not only are the Terps picking up upset wins over ranked conference rivals, but they are also covering games at a high rate down the stretch. Maryland is 4-1 ATS in their last five games while the Gophers are 2-3 ATS in their last five. 

Maryland also has a big advantage on offense despite being ranked 163rd in scoring. This is because the Gophers rank 248th in offensive scoring at 67.6 points per game. Minnesota is a very good 3-point shooting team but that is about all they have going for them tonight. I think Maryland is playing too well right now for Minnesota to keep up and cover this game at home. 

Pick: Maryland -7.5 (-110)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE.

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