Maryland (13-3, 2-1) at Michigan State (14-1, 2-0)
When: Thursday, January 4th 2018
Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: FOX Sports 1
Opening Odds: Michigan State -14
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After blowing through a couple of non-conference opponents and claiming the No. 1 ranking in the polls, the Michigan State Spartans will take a step up in class when they host the streaking Maryland Terrapins on Thursday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans have won 13 consecutive games including the last four by at least 40 points while the Terrapins enter the contest having won seven straight, including a home triumph over Penn State on Tuesday. Maryland boasts three double-figure scorers, including sophomore guards Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.6 points) and Kevin Huerter (14.1). The Terrapins’ defense has been solid this season, holding teams to 63.0 points per game and a league-low 28.1% shooting from 3-point range. The test tonight, is that Maryland will be going up against the Big Ten’s top scoring offense, as the Spartans are averaging 87.7 points and 21.9 assists. Miles Bridges (17 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Nick Ward (15.4, 7.5, 72.1% shooting) have been on fire over the last few weeks, and coach Tom Izzo has plenty of depth at his disposal. Maryland won 63-60 at home in the only meeting with Michigan State last season.
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After losing power forwards Justin Jackson and Ivan Bender to season-ending injuries last week, the Terrapins have slowed down the pace as coach Mark Turgeon tries to conserve its energy. Maryland is down to nine available scholarship players for the rest of the season, and the grind of the Big Ten season is here. Cowan is the leading scorer, but he played all 40 minutes in the win over Penn State. Forwards Bruno Fernando and Michal Cekovsky will be counted on for much more production, including playing at center. Maryland has outrebounded 14 of its 16 opponents this season, and its rebounding margin of +9.8 ranks sixth in the country.
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After easing pass six straight non-conference opponents, the Spartans know they must play even better now that the Big Ten schedule is in full-swing. Michigan State’s last winning margin of 10 points or fewer was its last conference game, which ended up being a 10-point victory at Rutgers but was close throughout. Bringing a No. 1 ranking into games against rivals will put even more of a target on the Spartans’ backs, so they know they must be ready on both ends of the floor as the competition level rises. Michigan State is No. 1 in the country in field-goal percentage defense (32.8%) and blocked shots per game (8.4).
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This matchup will be all about depth and the Spartans will dominate in that department. This Terrapins team is too short-handed to compete with the No. 1 team in the country.
Pick: Michigan State -13.5
- Terrapins are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Terrapins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Terrapins are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
- Terrapins are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Terrapins are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 road games.
- Terrapins are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Terrapins are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big Ten.
- Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
- Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
- Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Spartans are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
- Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Spartans are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 home games.
- Spartans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Spartans are 25-11 ATS in their last 36 vs. Big Ten.
- Spartans are 39-18-1 ATS in their last 58 Thursday games.
- Spartans are 43-20-2 ATS in their last 65 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Terrapins last 5 road games.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Terrapins last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 4-0 in Terrapins last 4 vs. Big Ten.
- Over is 7-0-1 in Terrapins last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 4-0 in Terrapins last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 5-1 in Terrapins last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Terrapins last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 6-2 in Terrapins last 8 Thursday games.
- Over is 5-2 in Terrapins last 7 overall.
- Under is 31-15-1 in Terrapins last 47 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-0 in Spartans last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Over is 4-1 in Spartans last 5 overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Spartans last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-1 in Spartans last 5 vs. Big Ten.
- Under is 8-3 in Spartans last 11 Thursday games.
- Over is 5-2 in Spartans last 7 home games.
- Over is 5-2 in Spartans last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Michigan St.
- Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Underdog is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
