Maryland vs Michigan State: Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/10/22)

Maryland vs Michigan State Betting Odds

Sparty will get the Terps in this #7 vs. #10 seed matchup, the winner of which will move on to Wisconsin in the quarterfinals.

Both teams underperformed their pre-season expectations, with Maryland firing its coach mid-season. However, Tom Izzo’s Spartans collapsed at the end of the season, winning just three of its final 10 games.

Michigan State is likely still in the Field of 68, but the line is getting closer. I’m expecting a big performance from them in this matchup, though.

But is it worth laying the points with the Spartans?

Maryland Terrapins Odds

The Terps won four of its final six to snag the 10-seed in this tournament, but none of the wins were super impressive – other than a 15-point slaughtering of Ohio State, who was collapsing down the stretch.

Maryland’s backcourt is just too inconsistent. Fatts Russell and Eric Ayala are fun to watch when they’re playing well, but it doesn’t happen enough for Danny Manning to string together wins.

But the tandem finished with a combined 101 ORtg at the end of the season. They were basically no better than your average D-I backcourt.

Maryland made big strides in rebounding and interior defense this season, something last season’s undersized Terps were pitiful at. Georgetown transfer Qudus Wahab had a lot to do with that, coming in with a top-100 defensive rebounding rate and a top-200 block rate.

But he only played 48% of available minutes this season. With him off the court, Donta Scott held down the interior. He was rather effective, but he only stands 6-foot-9.

I don’t know what will happen in Maryland’s future. But hopefully, it’s not more of the same.

Michigan State Spartans Odds

Somewhat similar to the Terps, Izzo’s problem position in recent years has been point guard.

Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard have been one of the best playmaking backcourts in the nation this year. Both rank inside the top-15 nationally in assist rate nationally and Sparty is 10th as a team.

But turnovers were plentiful. Nobody had a higher offensive turnover rate in the Big Ten than Michigan State, something that’s unbecoming of a Michigan State team.

Defense is the calling card of the Spartans, but the team has been weird in certain areas. Specifically, Marcus Bingham – who is a fantastic rim protector – has been terrible defending post-up situations. But I guess it’s hard when you’re playing the best big men in the nation every night.

The key for this game will be Bingham dominating in that area. If Bingham can neutralize Wahab and overpower the interior, the Sparty backcourt should have advantages in the backcourt – as long as the Terps guards don’t have one of their good days.

Maryland vs Michigan State Prediction and Pick

I think Izzo will be able to scheme up just that.

Michigan State won both games against Maryland this season, including the regular-season finale by double-digits.

The only reason Maryland could keep it close in the first meeting was thanks to the Terps backcourt combining for 25.

But the Spartans accumulated 21 assists in the second matchup and held Maryland at bay. I’m expecting the same performance in this game.

Plus, the coaching matchup clearly favors Izzo. Do we really trust Danny Manning in March?