The Big Ten has one game early today, with Penn State traveling to Maryland at noon before the NFL Playoffs continue later this afternoon. It’s been a rough stretch for both teams so far, with Maryland and Penn State both entering
the day at 0-6 in conference play.
Penn State Nittany Lions at Maryland Terrapins
- Time/TV: 12:00 PM ET BTN
- Line: Maryland -2.5
Maryland’s first season under Buzz Williams has been a disaster, with the program 2-9 over their last 11 games. In that stretch seven of their nine losses have came by double digits, including a 17 point loss at USC earlier this week. Offensively things have been a mess, with the Terps shooting just 39.8% from the field and 31.2% from three while committing 13.2 turnovers per game. The one thing going right offensively was Pharrel Payne, who was averaging 17.5 points per game and shooting 62.4% from the field before suffering an injury that took him out last month. Without Payne the Terps have dropped to 175th in KenPom’s offensive ratings, with an overall rating of 127th.
Their opponent today is a Penn State program that has lost five straight and gone 1-8 over their past nine. While struggling to win games Penn State has played teams tough down this stretch, losing to Michigan State by four, Illinois by eight, Michigan by two and Purdue by eight. The team is almost there and with a bit better of a defense probably would have landed an upset or two. After playing Purdue tough on the road last weekend the Nittany Lions have shown the ability to play well on the floor away from State College.
Penn State isn’t a great three point shooting team, shooting only about a percent better from range than Maryland. They do shoot it considerably better inside, though, hitting 47.2% of their field goals. The Nittany Lions also take better care of the ball, limiting turnovers to just 9.4 per game. Penn State leading scorer Kayden Mingo enters this morning with a questionable status after missing the last several games with a broken nose. The freshman has excelled with 14.9 points, 4.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Second leading scorer Freddie Dilione V also enters today with a questionable status, with both players status likely not being announced until tip.
If Penn State can get back Mingo and Dilione today they should have enough offensively to find a way into the win column against a freefalling Maryland team that has been terrible this season. If the pair of guards remain unavailable than Maryland’s home court advantage and an early tip might be just enough to get Buzz Williams a Big Ten win this afternoon.
Pick: Penn State
