The Maryland Terrapins will play the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the South Region on Thursday afternoon at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Maryland Preview
The Maryland Terrapins are 21-12 (11-9) this season after they lost to Indiana by a score of 70-60 in the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Maryland has lost three of their last four games and has really struggled to score consistently in those games. The Maryland Terrapins are averaging 70.4 points per game, 63.2 points against per game, 33.8 rebounds per game, and 11.5 assists per game. Jahmir Young has led the Terrapins this season with 16.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game. Maryland is shooting 44.9% from the field, 73.9% on free throws, and 33% on three pointers this year.
West Virginia Preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers are 19-14 (7-11) this season after they lost to Kansas by a score of 78-61 in the Quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. West Virginia finished the season strong and has won four of their last six games. The West Virginia Mountaineers are averaging 76.3 points per game, 71 points against per game, 33.8 rebounds per game, and 13.2 assists per game. Erik Stevenson has led the Mountaineers this season with 15.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game. West Virginia is shooting 45.3% from the field, 74.1% on free throws, and 34.8% on three pointers this year.
Trends
West Virginia is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. The over is 4-1 in West Virginia’s last 5 NCAA Tournament games. Maryland is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games. The under is 3-0-1 in Maryland’s last 4 games.
Pick
Maryland comes into this game struggling and they have only scored more than 64 points in one of their last four games. West Virginia is a high scoring team, but they don’t play very strong defense. I think Maryland will find some success on the offensive end against this West Virginia defense, but I don’t think it is going to be enough to keep pace. I like West Virginia here.
AUTHOR: David Racey
