31.01.2023

Indiana vs. Maryland Game Preview and Pick

Some critical BIG-10 conference games will be played tonight, and one of them will feature the Indiana Hoosiers heading to Maryland to take on the Terps. We’ll preview the game before getting into why I’ll be targeting the point total for my best play in this one.

Game Preview

After going on a three-game conference losing streak, the Indiana Hoosiers have bounced back in an impressive way by rattling off five straight wins. The Hoosiers have recently gotten the job done on both ends of the floor, as they scored 80+ points in three of those five games while holding opponents to under 70 points in four of them.

The combination of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino showed how dangerous they could be in the Hoosiers' most recent win over Ohio State, as the duo combined for 42 points and nine assists in the game. The senior/freshman duo has been able to attack teams in the paint and from behind the three-point line. Hood-Schifino knocked down six threes in the Hoosiers' most recent game, while Jackson-Davis pulled in ten rebounds.

Tonight will be a real test for the entire Indiana offense as they’ll face a Maryland defense that ranks 39th in the country in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. The Terps have not allowed more than 63 points since they played Iowa back on January 15th, which has helped them win three of their last five games.

Opponents have only been able to shoot 30.8% from three and 41.6% from the field this season, which has kept them alive in an ultra-competitive BIG-10 conference. The key to this game will be who dictates the pace since Maryland likes to slow it down, while Indiana wants to push out in transition and get their money’s worth on the offensive end. The last time Maryland played a fast-paced team in Iowa, they struggled on both ends of the floor and allowed 81 points in the game.

Pick for the Game

The point total for this game can be found at 137.5, and I’ll be taking the over as my play in this one. The total has moved down from 140 throughout the day, and I like where the current number sits. Both sides have been impressive on the offensive end recently, and despite being the away team, I think the Hoosiers will come out and try to dictate the pace.

The Hoosiers have had five of their last eight conference games go over the total, and they now have the 4th best shooting percentage in the country. Maryland has a stellar defense, but the Hoosiers have played similar teams and still found success on the offensive end.

Offensively for Maryland, they have looked much better in the past two games and are now ranked 48th in the country in offensive efficiency rating according to KenPom. The Terps have scored 82 and 73 points in their last two games, and leading scorer Jahmir Young has been shooting at a high level. In their most recent game Maryland had five players score in double figures, so if they can carry that momentum into tonight, I think this game will end up going over the total.