Maryland Terrapins (10-6) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (12-3)
Maryland Terrapins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 1/14/24 – The upcoming NCAA Men’s Basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday at State Farm Center, is a highly anticipated matchup. The Terrapins, with a 10-6 record, face a challenging game against the 12-3 Fighting Illini. This game, set to be televised on a yet-to-be-announced channel, is a critical moment in the season for both teams. Fans and bettors alike are looking for NCAAB team insights to guide their predictions and expectations for this showdown.
Maryland Terrapins (10-6), have shown mixed performance over their last five games with only one over-goal over that span – suggesting an emphasis on lower scoring affairs. They posted a record of 3-2 across those matches and found themselves struggling against the spread (3-3) across that span; moreover their road game performance against this mark has been concerning (1-4). Overall totals only went over once during this span.
Illinois Fighting Illini have shown tremendous form this year, winning four out of their last five games and posting an outstanding record against the spread – going 4-0 overall and on their home field this year against any given opponent! Furthermore, four of those five matches saw totals go OVER in recent matches, suggesting high-scoring matchups for Illinois.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 1/14/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET |
| Where: | State Farm Center |
| TV: | TBA |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jahmir Young (Guard) vs. Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard)
Jahmir Young has been the catalyst for the Terrapins offense. This guard is averaging 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.5% from three. He excels at getting to the rim but can be streaky from outside. His scoring and playmaking ability off the dribble will be key if Maryland is going to hang around.
Shannon has taken his game to another level after transferring to Illinois from Texas Tech. The athletic is scoring 21.7 points on extremely efficient 51.4% shooting, including nearly 41% from deep. He loves attacking the basket but has also greatly improved his jump shot. His combination of shooting and defense makes him a matchup nightmare. Shannon keeping up his elite production could very well lead to an Illinois victory.
These talented guards will likely match up with each other often. Shannon has a significant size advantage at the position, so Young may struggle containing him defensively. Meanwhile, Shannon’s on-ball defense has been suspect, so Young may be able to exploit that with his quickness and shot creation. But Shannon remains the more efficient and consistent producer, which gives Illinois an edge.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds and point spread for this matchup, yet to be announced, will provide further insights into the expected performance of each team. These odds will be crucial for bettors to consider when making their selections.
Maryland Terrapins Betting Trends
Maryland has been inconsistent lately, going just 3-2 straight up and 2-3 against the spread in its last five contests. The Terrapins are only 1-4 against the number in away matchups, indicating they struggle as underdogs. The over has hit in only one of their previous five outings as well.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois is surging right now, winning four straight games both straight up and against the spread. They have been nearly unstoppable offensively, scoring over 80 points in six straight contests. The Illini are also 4-0 against the spread in their last four road games. With their offense humming and Shannon playing like an All-American, Illinois expects to continue covering large spreads.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 1/14/24 Betting Picks
Considering the recent trends and performances, Illinois appears to have the upper hand, especially with their strong record against the spread and high-scoring games. Maryland’s challenge will be to counter Illinois’s offensive firepower and find consistency in their own scoring.
The better pick seems to be Illinois, given their recent form and ability to cover the spread. Potential prop bets could involve individual player performances, particularly focusing on the matchup between Young and Shannon Jr. The over/under bet will depend on the opening lines, but given Illinois’s recent high-scoring games, a bet on the over might be favorable. For premium game selections, consider the overall form and scoring trends of both teams.
Free Pick and Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 76, Maryland Terrapins 68