11:33 am
March 11

Big Ten Tournament: Michigan State v. Maryland

Who will WIN this matchup?

Michigan State Spartans (15-11)

Maryland Terrapins (15-12)

 

Current odds:

Michigan State Spartans: (-115)

Maryland Terrapins: (-105)

 

• The line for this game is Michigan State by 1 point.

• Tom Izzo expects mayhem in the Big Ten tournament. He’s hoping Michigan State’s wild run during the last two weeks carries over to the postseason. The longtime Spartans coach saw his team knock off three top-10 opponents — Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan — to virtually guarantee an NCAA Tournament berth, regardless of what happens this week.

• Michigan State (15-11 overall, 9-11 Big 12), which enters the conference tournament in Indianapolis as the No. 9 seed, will face eighth-seeded Maryland (15-12, 9-11) on Thursday morning. The winner will advance to Friday’s quarterfinals to face top-seeded Michigan.

• The Big Ten has more ranked teams than any other conference and that adds to the suspense in this week’s tournament. “It’s going to be one of the craziest tournaments ever,” Izzo said. “We’ve got challenges but the last couple of weeks we’ve answered some of the challenges. I think we’re going in with some confidence.”

• The Spartans bounced back from a 19-point loss to the Wolverines on Thursday and defeated their arch-rival 70-64 in the rematch three days later.

• Guard Rocket Watts had one of his best outings this season with 21 points and Aaron Henry continued his steady play with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Henry, who is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, was named to the All-Big Ten’s Third Team.

• Maryland never trailed while defeating the Spartans 73-55 on Feb. 28 in the lone meeting between the teams during the regular season. Michigan State shot 33.3 percent from the field while Eric Ayala led the Terrapins offensively with 22 points.

• Maryland finished the season on a sour note, dropping a 60-55 decision to Northwestern and a 66-61 setback to Penn State. The Terrapins were up by 14 points in the second half of their regular-season finale.

• Maryland averaged a conference-worst 64.5 points in Big Ten play.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Michigan State Spartans
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