Maryland vs. LSU Prediction
The second round of the NCAA Tournament gets underway today at 12:10PM ET when No. 3 LSU faces No. 6 Maryland in the East Region. Can the Terps upset the Tigers?
841 Maryland vs. 842 LSU
Saturday, March 23, 2019
12:10PM ET – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, LSU is favored in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -2.5 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 145.5 points. The public betting currently has 81 percent going on LSU as the favorite in this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Maryland survives Belmont
Maryland survived a close battle with No. 11 Belmont on Thursday, 79-77. The Terps come into today having failed to cover the spread in four of their last five. Maryland is now 23-10 on the season, 2-2 on a neutral floor, 16-16-1 against the spread and 17-16 with the under.
The Terrapins have a strong defense that is allowing just 65.4 points per game while holding opponents to 39.7 percent shooting. Offensively, Maryland is putting up 71.6 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent as a team. The Terps committed just five turnovers in the win over Belmont, but also shot just 6 of 22 from the arc. Jalen Smith led the team with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Bruno Fernando had 14 points and 13 rebounds.
LSU edges Yale
LSU is coming off a 79-74 win over Yale on Thursday in a 3 vs 14 matchup. The Tigers failed to cover a 6.5-point spread and they have failed to cover int wo straight after riding a 5-game cover streak. LSU is 27-6 on the season 3-3 on a neutral floor, 19-13-1 against the spread and 19-13 with the over.
The Tigers continue to play without head coach Will Wade due to an ongoing investigation. Still, LSU has a dominant offense that is putting up 81.3 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent. Defensively, LSU is giving up 73.1 points per game while opponents shoot 43.4 percent against them. In Thursday’s game, LSU shot just 4 of 17 from the arc, but still managed a victory. Skylar Mays had 19 points to lead LSU in the win while Naz Reid and Kavell Bigby-Williams each had a double-double.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Maryland
The Terps are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 against SEC opponents, but 1-7 ATS in their last eight NCAA Tournament games.
LSU
The Tigers have covered the spread in four straight against Big Ten opponents and in eight of their last 10 Saturday games.
Prediction:
Both teams are struggling to cover recently, but Maryland showed it can be scored on in the win over Belmont. They gave up 77 points to the Bruins and now face another strong offensive team in LSU. Maryland scored 79 in Thursday’s win, but I don’t expect them to be able to do that again today. I think LSU is going to be able to continue to put up points and get past the Terps.
College Basketball Prediction: LSU -2.5