The No. 16 Maryland Terrapins will put their four-game winning streak on the line when they host the No. 8 Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday.
The Spartans have won three games in a row of their own, recently vaulting themselves into first place in the Big Ten standings. Meanwhile, just two weeks ago, the Terrapins sat at 7-5 in conference play. Since then, they’ve climbed the standings and are now in fourth place ahead of the Big Ten Tournament. Who will come out on top?
Find out below as we make a prediction and break down the spread, total, and money line bets for this huge Big Ten showdown.
Michigan State vs. Maryland Betting Preview
All Michigan State vs. Maryland odds are from Fanduel Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
- Spread
Maryland -3.5 - Moneyline
Maryland -176, Michigan State +146 - Over/Under
150.5 Points - Game Time
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. ET - Location
XFINITY Center | College Park, MD - How To Watch
BTN
Michigan State has been excellent at covering this season, with a 17-9-1 overall record ATS. In conference play, head coach Tom Izzo’s team has been even better, going 11-4-1 ATS. They’ve covered three in a row and four of their last five games.
Meanwhile, Maryland enters with a 14-12-1 overall record ATS and an 8-7-1 record ATS in conference play. At home, they’ve been better, covering 10 of 17 opportunities. Of their last three games, the Terrapins have only covered once, though.
The Spartans have a tough, stingy defense that causes a majority of their games to go under. To be exact, 18 of their 27 matchups have gone under the listed point total, including four in a row and seven of their last eight outings.
The reverse is true of Maryland, who’ve gone over the point total in 18 of their 27 games. The over has been the correct play in each of their last four games, as head coach Kevin Willard’s squad has averaged 90.5 ppg.
Michigan State vs. Maryland CSN Power Rankings Line
Our power rankings suggest the line of Maryland being favored by 3.5 points is low. The Terrapins come in at No. 14, while the Spartans hold down the No. 31 spot despite being ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll.
The advantage clearly falls with Maryland’s side of the line, according to our power rankings.
Preview for Michigan State vs. Maryland
Maryland is 21-6 overall and 11-5 in the Big Ten this season, good for fourth in the conference standings. At home, they’ve been especially good, having gone 16-1.
The Spartans travel to Maryland with a 22-5 overall record and a 12-4 mark in conference play. They defeated their in-state rival, Michigan Wolverines, on Feb. 21 which led them to first in the conference standings.
Against “Big Blue,” the Spartans got a big 21-point performance from guard Jase Richardson, who’s come into his own as of late. The freshman is averaging 17.2 ppg over his last five outings after coming off the bench for the majority of the season.
MARCH OF THE SPARTANS: Freshman Jase Richardson’s Emergence Has Raised the Ceiling for Michigan State
Michigan State’s official leading scorer on the season, Jaden Akins, averages 13.0 ppg. His scoring is extremely consistent but lacks the explosion that Richardson possesses, as Akins has only three 20-point outings this season.
The Spartans have a strong bunch of point guards. The tandem of freshman Jeremy Fears Jr. and junior Tre Holloman combine to average almost 10 assists per game. Down low, Michigan State junior forward Jaxon Kohler will have his hands full defending the Terrapins’ talented front line.
Maryland center Derik Queen headlines the group, as he’s averaging a team-high 15.9 ppg combined with 9.1 rpg. He’s been a monster on the glass over his last four games, amassing 56 total rebounds. There’s a reason the freshman is expected to be a lottery selection in the 2025 NBA Draft if he chooses to declare.
Next to him, senior forward Julian Reese grabs a team-leading 9.3 rpg while also contributing 14.0 ppg.
Junior point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie provides a terrific attack from the outside, averaging 14.9 ppg and leading the team with 4.8 apg. Over his last two outings, he’s averaging 23.0 ppg and 5.5 apg.
A combined seven consecutive wins will be put on the line between these two teams, ensuring a competitive game between a potential national championship contender in the Spartans and a potential Big Ten tournament contender in the Terrapins.
Best Bets and Final Score Prediction
These teams are opposite in many ways in terms of betting statistics, making this an extremely difficult game to pick.
In terms of over/under, the point total is listed at 150.5 points, which assumes a 77-73 Maryland victory. The hard part in deciphering whether the game will go over or under begins with the Spartans having gone under in four consecutive games while the Terrapins have also gone over in four in a row.
The decision is which side is more trustworthy. I’d be willing to go with Michigan State’s side—I don’t see an Izzo-coached team giving up nearly 80 points in a highly anticipated matchup.
Besides, the Spartans, despite the emergence of Richardson, don’t quite have the firepower to stay with the Terrapins if they do score 80 points. For those reasons we’ll take the under of 149.5 points.
Along with that, I believe the line of Maryland -3.5 is too high. I’d even dare to say that Michigan State should be favored.
In addition to picking Michigan State +3.5, I think that Michigan State’s money line at +146 odds is an extremely solid bet.
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The Spartans, facing their third consecutive ranked opponent, will extend their three-game winning streak on the Terrapins’ home floor, handing Maryland their sixth conference loss. Still, this game might come down to the final buzzer.
Picks: Under 150.5 Points, Michigan State +3.5, Michigan State ML (+146)
Prediction: Michigan State 73, Maryland 71
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