Big Ten NCAA Basketball: Terrapins @ Hawkeyes Preview

Updated On Feb 19, 2019 by Ryan Knuppel

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Maryland TerrapinsThe Terrapins travel to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes in a ranked battle of top Big 10 teams. Maryland leads the all time series 5-3, and Maryland won the matchup last season 91-73.

Iowa is coming off a 71-69 win at Rutgers on Saturday. On Thursday (2/7) they beat Indiana 77-72 on the road, and on Sunday (2/10) they beat Northwestern 80-79.

Maryland is coming off a 65-52 loss to #7 Michigan. On Wednesday (2/6) they beat Nebraska 60-45 on the road, and last Tuesday (2/12) they beat #15 Purdue 70-56 at home.

On the season, Maryland is 14-12 ATS, 6-3 ATS on the road, and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, Iowa is 12-13 ATS, 9-9 ATS at home, and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.

GTBets have Iowa as 2 point favourites with an O/U total of 150.

#21 Iowa Hawkeyes

(20-5 overall, 13-2 at home, 9-5 in conference)

Iowa averages 81.2 PPG, 35.7 RPG, 16.2 APG, 6.6 SPG, 3.4 BPG, and 12.1 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.4% from the field, 75.1% from the free throw line, and 38.0% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 73.0 PPG, 33.5 RPG, 44.3% shooting from the floor, and 31.4% shooting from 3 point range.

They are led by combo forward Tyler Cook, who averages 16.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.7 SPG and 0.6 BPG while shooting 55.2% from the floor and 68.6% from the free throw line. Big man Luka Garza chips in 13.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.6 BPG while shooting 52.4/85.3/32.1. Freshman guard Joe Weiskamp puts up 11.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG and 44.9% shooting from 3. Jordan Bohannon (11.4 PPG/2.1 RPG/3.5 APG/40.7% from 3), Isaiah Moss (9.9 PPG/2.6 RPG/2.0 APG/1.0 SPG/45.3% from 3), Nicholas Baer (6.4 PPG/4.6 RPG/1.3 APG/1.2 SPG/1.1 BPG) and Ryan Kriener (5.3 PPG/3.0 RPG/0.9 APG/0.6 SPG) play big minutes as well.

#24 Maryland Terrapins

(19-7 overall, 5-4 on the road, 10-5 in conference)

Maryland averages 72.8 PPG, 40.0 RPG, 13.6 APG, 4.4 SPG, 4.7 BPG, and 13.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 46.2% from the field, 73.7% from the free throw line, and 36.2% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 64.6 PPG, 30.0 RPG, 49.6% shooting from the field, and 31.7% shooting from 3 point range.

They are led by guard Anthony Cowan who averages 15.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.5 APG and 1.0 SPG while shooting 39.9% from the field, 83.2% from the free throw line, and 33.1% from 3 point range. Big man Bruno Fernando supplements him with 14.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG and 1.9 BPG while shooting 66.1/75.9/25.0. Jalen Smith chips in 11.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 APG and 1.0 SPG. Eric Ayala (8.8 PPG/2.8 RPG/2.3 APG/44.8% from 3), Aaron Wiggins (8.7 PPG/3.4 RPG/0.8 SPG/42.6% from 3), Darryl Morsell (7.6 PPG/2.9 RPG/1.6 APG) and Serrell Smith (3.6 PPG/1.4 RPG/0.5 APG) contribute as well.

Predictions

Iowa can fill it up on offense, with shooters seemingly coming out of nowhere. They have had a bit of luck on their side as of late, with back to back wins coming on buzzer beater 3s from Jordan Bohannon. Offensively, they can attack you in a multitude of ways, with excellent shooters all over the floor, the convert in transition, as well as the inside/outside potential of Luka Garza and Tyler Cook. Their main concerns will be slowing down the duo of Anthony Cowan and Bruno Fernando.

Cowan has a reputation as an elite perimeter threat, but he’s been streaky as of late, averaging 8.2 PPG and shooting just 24% from 3 point range in his last 5 games while others have picked up the slack. However, those supporting pieces don’t have the experience or versatility a guy like Cowan has, and they need him desperately in a game like this. Maryland plays a tough brand of basketball, slowing the game down and playing excellent on ball defense with a premier rim protector behind them in Fernando.

Iowa’s perimeter based attack bodes well against them, and especially at home where they shoot notably better. This one should be a great match to watch between differing philosophies, but Iowa at home is tough to bet against.

Final Pick: #21 Iowa Hawkeyes (-2)

Ryan Knuppel Author

Ryan (aka Knup) has been writing sports betting content for over a decade now. He covers anything and everything related to United Stats sports including football, basketball, baseball, golf and more. He has finished first place in several gambling related contests over the years which gives him instant credibility in the betting world. Ryan is a die-hard St. Louis...

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