As Maryland welcomes Iowa to the XFINITY Center, the stakes are clear: the Terrapins desperately need a quality win to bolster their tournament resume, while the Hawkeyes look to maintain their momentum and solidify their position as a top seed. With a NET ranking of 161, Maryland is in dire need of a marquee victory, and what better opportunity than against a top-20 team like Iowa? The Hawkeyes, boasting a 2-4 record in Quad 1 games, want to improve their already impressive tournament profile.
Iowa's Quad 1 Struggles
According to the CHD Scout prediction, Iowa is favored to win by 23 points, with Maryland's win probability sitting at a mere 3.8%. While these odds may seem insurmountable, the Terrapins have shown glimpses of brilliance this season, particularly in their recent win. However, their 0-10 record in Quad 1 games is a glaring concern, and they'll need to flip the script against a talented Iowa squad.
CHD Scout Prediction
Iowa
85
Maryland
62
Given the significant disparity in talent and form, it's hard to envision Maryland pulling off the upset. Iowa's recent three-game win streak and Maryland's lack of success in Quad 1 games suggest that the Hawkeyes will emerge victorious, likely covering the 10.5-point spread. Expect Iowa to dominate the contest, winning by a margin similar to the predicted 23 points.