The Maryland-College Park Terrapins are set to face off against the Northwestern Wildcats, with both teams desperately seeking a win to bolster their tournament resumes, and Northwestern is favored by 8.5 points, according to the latest odds from betmgm. Over their last 5 games, Northwestern has struggled mightily, averaging a mere 60 points per game while allowing a staggering 78.2 points per contest, resulting in a dismal 5-game losing streak. This slump has seen them drop contests to Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Washington, with their most recent loss being a 62-76 defeat at the hands of Washington. Maryland, on the other hand, has seen a slightly more mixed bag of results, going 2-3 over their last 5 games, with wins over Iowa and Minnesota, but losses to Rutgers, Ohio State, and Purdue, and they are averaging 65.2 points per game over this stretch.
As we delve into the individual players, it's clear that both teams have their work cut out for them, with several key matchups that could make all the difference in the outcome of the game.
Key Matchups
Northwestern's recent form has been marked by a lack of scoring punch, with their highest output over the last 5 games being 75 points in a loss to Michigan, and they are being outscored by an average of 18.2 points per game. Maryland, meanwhile, has seen a bit more consistency on the offensive end, with their 77-70 win over Iowa being a notable bright spot, and they have been outscored by an average of 9.8 points per game over their last 5 contests. The Terrapins must find a way to slow down Northwestern's attack, which has been potent at times this season, but has been stifled by their recent defensive struggles, allowing 84 points to Illinois and 76 points to Washington in their last two games. With Maryland averaging 65.2 points per game over their last 5, and Northwestern allowing 78.2 points per contest over the same stretch, it's clear that the Terrapins must find a way to capitalize on the Wildcats' defensive woes if they hope to come out on top.
The CHD Scout prediction has Northwestern emerging victorious by a margin of 9.3 points, with a win probability of 78.6%, and this is likely due to the fact that the Wildcats have been more competitive in their losses, with 4 of their last 5 defeats coming by 10 points or less, including a 70-76 loss to Iowa and a 75-87 loss to Michigan.
CHD Scout Prediction
Maryland
70
Northwestern
79
This prediction is likely based on the fact that Northwestern has been more competitive in their losses, and that they have a slight edge in terms of overall team efficiency, with the Wildcats averaging 1.03 points per possession over the course of the season, compared to Maryland's 0.98 points per possession. Additionally, Northwestern has been better at taking care of the ball, with a turnover rate of 18.5%, compared to Maryland's 20.2%, and they have also been more effective at getting to the free throw line, with a free throw rate of 23.1%, compared to Maryland's 20.5%. With these numbers in mind, it's clear that the Wildcats have a slight advantage heading into the game, and that they must capitalize on this advantage if they hope to come out on top.
As we look at the tournament stakes, it's clear that both teams are in desperate need of a win to bolster their resumes, and a victory for either team would be a significant boost to their chances of making the tournament.
Tournament Stakes
A win for Northwestern would be particularly important, as it would give them a much-needed quality win, and would help to offset some of the losses they've suffered over the course of the season, including their recent 5-game losing streak. For Maryland, a win would be a crucial step towards getting back on track, and would help to alleviate some of the pressure that's been building on the team, with the Terrapins having lost 3 of their last 5 games. With both teams sitting on the bubble, and with the tournament selection committee sure to be watching this game closely, it's clear that the stakes are high, and that the team that emerges victorious will be taking a significant step towards securing a spot in the tournament. The Wildcats' recent 5-game losing streak has dropped them to 10-16 on the season, and they are in dire need of a win to get back on track, while the Terrapins are sitting at 10-15, and are also in need of a victory to bolster their tournament chances.
In terms of recent form, both teams have been struggling, with Northwestern's 5-game losing streak being the most notable, and Maryland's 2-3 record over their last 5 games also being a cause for concern. The Terrapins have been averaging 65.2 points per game over this stretch, while allowing 75 points per contest, resulting in a net scoring margin of -9.8 points per game. The Wildcats, meanwhile, have been averaging 60 points per game over their last 5, while allowing 78.2 points per contest, resulting in a net scoring margin of -18.2 points per game. With these numbers in mind, it's clear that both teams have their work cut out for them, and that the team that emerges victorious will be the one that's able to find a way to overcome their recent struggles and capitalize on the other team's weaknesses. The Terrapins have been outscored by an average of 9.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, while the Wildcats have been outscored by an average of 18.2 points per game, and it's clear that the team that's able to find a way to reverse this trend will be the one that emerges victorious.