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— Tuesday, February 01st Michigan State Spartans @ Maryland Terrapins
Two teams headed in opposite directions in the Big Ten face each other on Tuesday night. No. 13 Michigan State Spartans (16-4, 7-2), tied for first place in the loss column, travels to take on the Maryland Terrapins (11-10, 3-7), who have lost five in a row. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, and the game will air on ESPN2.
Last year these teams played twice, and Maryland won both games, 73-55 in February and 68-57 at the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan State won at Maryland in February 2020 and are 6-4 in the last ten games head-to-head.
Spartans Can Shoot
The Spartans have split their last four games with a surprising home loss to Northwestern but winning by 12 at ranked Wisconsin. They are 3-1 on the road in Big Ten play, with the loss coming at ranked Illinois last Tuesday.
The Spartans are 12-7-1 ATS, and the over is 10-9-1 in their 20 games. They are 7-3 away from home on the season with a 4-1 record in true road games.
Tom Izzo’s squad ranks in the top 25 in the nation allowing just 39% shooting from the field and 29% from 3-point range. They score 74.7 ppg and allow 65.7, both in the top 75. The Spartans have the 11th best 3-point shooting percentage in the country at 39.1%.
In Saturday’s win over Michigan, Max Christie led the way with 16 points while Malik Hall had 15 and Joey Hauser added 14. The Spartans made 9-of-18 from deep to beat their rivals by 16.
Gabe Brown leads the Spartans on the season at 13.2 ppg while Christie (10.4) and Hall (10.1) are also in double figures. Marcus Bingham Jr. leads the team with 6.9 rpg and adds 9.5 ppg. Brown has made 42 3-pointers on the season and is one of four Spartans regulars shooting over 36%.
Terps Need Offense
Maryland went 3-6 in the month of January with three home losses. All nine games were in Big Ten play, and despite winning two of the last three, they are in 11th place in the conference and beginning a stretch where they play against ranked teams three times in 12 days.
The Terps are 8-13 ATS, and the under is 11-9-1 in their 21 games this season. They are just 7-6 at home but did knock off No. 17 Illinois 11 days ago.
Maryland’s offense is 209th in the nation in scoring at 70.1 ppg, and they are in the bottom 70 in the country shooting 42.9% from the field and 31% from 3-point range. The defense ranks 187th allowing 69 ppg, and they don’t defend the perimeter well, allowing 35% 3-point shooting.
Eric Ayala leads the team with 15.8 ppg, and Fatts Russell is right behind him at 13 ppg. Donta Scott is at 12.2 ppg and leads the team with 6.5 rpg. Ayala has made 54 3-pointers and shoots 36% from beyond the arc.
Betting Analysis
- Michigan State Spartans -3.5 (-110). Money Line -165
- Maryland Terrapins +3.5 (-110). Money Line +140
- Total Points 137. Over -110. Under -110
The Spartans have covered in four straight road games as a favorite and are 6-0 ATS in their last six away from home. Maryland struggled against Indiana this weekend shooting 28% from the floor, and now they face another big, physical team. Michigan State can play fast or grind it out, and they should pick up another road win in Maryland.
Betting Pick: Michigan State -3.5 (-110)
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