UCLA Vs. Maryland Predictions, Picks, Odds NCAAB (12/14/22)

With Bowl season approaching, it’s up to basketball to fulfill our sports betting needs and it does exactly that with a high-profile matchup between the UCLA Bruins and Maryland Terps. Both highly rated and on the cusp of elite status, yet both have failed to get that crown jewel of a win that defines a season. Who will come out on top in this highly anticipated top-25 matchup? Get, predictions, picks, and odds for the UCLA Vs. Memphis College Basketball game on 12/14/22. 

UCLA Vs. Maryland Odds

Oddsmakers have this as a near pick’em, opening the Terps at -1. Bettors are in slight agreement, taking them up to -1.5 in some shops as of writing. This game also has a lopsided ticket to handle ratio with bigger bettors hammering the Terps. Maryland has the firepower to keep the UCLA defense on their heels with a plethora of scoring options in what is one of the deeper scoring units in the nation. 

As for the total, points are expected to be scored in bunches as oddsmakers opened the number at 140.5. With noticeable offensive firepower on both ends, bettors were quick to hammer the over by taking the total up to as high as 142.5. Like Maryland, UCLA also has multiple scoring options with four of them in double figures while playing eight players meaningful minutes.

UCLA Vs. Maryland Prediction & Pick

The Pick: Maryland -1

In the midst of a two-game losing streak, tonight is the night that Maryland gets back on track. It’s not as if they are bad losses either, Wisconsin is molding into an efficient unit while Tennessee is one of the best teams in the nation. Maryland played both of them down to the wire, giving performances that could have swung the results of the game either way should they meet again.

This is a veteran unit that excels on both ends of the court. Maryland currently ranks 24th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency while also ranking 27th in AdjD per Kenpom. They like to control the tempo at a slow pace and let plays develop to take advantage of high quality looks on offense that opposing defenses have struggled to contain. 

Their offense is relentless all game in this set up, burying teams with efficient two-point shooting. They rank well above average in two-point effective field goal percentage, sucking in defenses to get higher quality looks from the outside. Their three-point shooting has yet to consistently hit, only completing perimeter shots at 31.1% with potential to positively regress. 

As previously mentioned, UCLA’s offensive scoring runs just as deep as Maryland’s with identical identities. Both teams run eight players meaningful minutes with four of them in double digit scoring. Familiar faces Jamie Jaquez and Tyger Campbell run the show with Jaylen Clark also playing a large role in the scoring output.

Havoc is once again the main proponent of the Bruins game plan, excelling at both taking care of the ball and stripping opposing units. Averaging 8.4 steals per game, this is a key metric to watch as Maryland is one of the more efficient units at taking care of the ball. Avoiding a track meet with UCLA and capitalizing on their scoring possession opportunities will be the keys to victory for the Terps.

UCLA Vs. Maryland Key Matchups

Can Maryland’s lack of multidimensional scoring prove effective against the UCLA defense?

Maryland interior scoring vs UCLA defense

It’s no secret that Maryland’s offense is one of the best in the nation, but they lack a major need at perimeter shooting. While it’s still too early to tell if they have the ability to stretch out opposing defenses, each passing game is giving more cause for concern. 

With an inability to beat them from deep, opposing defenses can eventually sacrifice deep looks by just clamping down and smothering the interior for low quality looks.

Luckily for the Terps, UCLA shockingly possesses a weak interior defense, giving up open looks at a below average rate in comparison to average effective field goal percentage. UCLA will struggle to defend the paint with a size disadvantage, giving Maryland clean looks all game to set a steady scoring pace and capitalize on second chance scoring opportunities.

Prediction & Verdict

Take Maryland in a bounce back opportunity in what would be a marquee win for the Terps.