Maryland vs. UConn Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Mar. 20, 2021

David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

Maryland vs. UConn Predictions

Connecticut has been listed as a three-point favorite in this Big Ten vs. Big East battle. Saturday’s total line has been set at 130.5 points for the 7:10 p.m. (ET) tip on CBS.

Maryland went 9-11 straight-up in the Big Ten this season with a couple of impressive victories as an underdog along the way. The Terrapins will benefit from the heightened level of play they faced all season long.

The Huskies got hot at the right time of the year but they ran out of steam in a three-point loss to Creighton in the Big East Tournament. While they are favored on the betting board in this matchup, I give Maryland the slight edge on the court to get the SU win on Saturday.

I'm also looking for a more defensive battle between the two that keeps the scoring UNDER the current total line.

• Score Prediction: Maryland 64 UConn 63
• Best Bets - Side: Maryland +3
• Best Bets - Total: UNDER 130.5

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Maryland vs. UConn Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: UConn -2.5
• Total: 130
• Money-Line: Maryland -145 UConn +125

Odds to Win NCAA Tournament

• Maryland 100/1
• UConn 33/1

Odds to Win East Regional

• Maryland 25/1
• UConn 8/1

Odds Subject to Change

First Round Predictions

Saturday's Early Action - Mar. 20 5 vs. 12 4 vs. 13 3 vs. 14 8 vs. 9 1 vs. 16 5 vs. 12 2 vs. 15 6 vs. 10

Handicapping Maryland vs. UConn

Maryland played its best basketball in the month of February with a 1-3 mark both SU and against the spread over its final four games. A big 68-57 win over Michigan State in their first conference tournament game demonstrated just how good the Terrapins can play when they are at their best.

The Huskies will most likely be the consensus pick in this game. However, they are not as nearly battle tested as their opponent. Another huge concern is the health of R.J. Cole, who remains questionable on the latest injury report.

• Region: East
• Matchup: 7 vs. 10
• Venue: Mackey Arena
• Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
• Date: Mar. 20, 2021
• TV-Time: CBS - 7:10 p.m. (ET)

Handicapping Resources: March Madness Central | NCAA Consensus Picks

Betting Stats & Analysis - Maryland Terrapins

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

Maryland went 6-3 SU in its last nine games. However, it is just 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games played in March. It was 1-1 ATS in two previous neutral-site games this season.

The total has stayed UNDER in five of the Terrapins’ last six games. It has also stayed UNDER in four of their last six games against the Big East. The total stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in 17 of 28 games this season.

Seed: 10
Conference: Big Ten
Bid: At-large

• SU: 16-13
• ATS: 12-16
• O/U: 11-16-1

• Current Form (Last 5): 2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS, 1-4 O/U
• Notable Wins: Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, Michigan State (x2)

• PS/G: 68.8 (244th)
• PA/G: 65 (46th)
• Off Rtg: 104 (133rd)
• Def Rtg: 98.2 (120th)

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Betting Stats & Analysis - UConn Huskies

Connecticut posted a 5-1 mark both SU and ATS over its last six contests. It has won five of its last six March games SU but it falls to 2-4 ATS in its last six games on a Friday.

The total has gone OVER in three of the Huskies’ last five games. Yet, it has stayed UNDER in 10 of their last 12 games against a team from the Big Ten.

Seed: 7
Conference: Big East
Bid: At-large

• SU: 15-7
• ATS: 16-6
• O/U: 11-11

• Current Form (Last 5): 4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 3-2 O/U
• Notable Wins: USC, Xavier, Georgetown (x2)

• PS/G: 72.5 (139th)
• PA/G: 64.6 (42nd)
• Off Rtg: 108.4 (57th)
• Def Rtg: 96.5 (83rd)

First Round Predictions

Saturday's Late Action - Mar. 20 2 vs. 15 7 vs. 10 4 vs. 13 8 vs. 9 1 vs. 16 6 vs. 11 3 vs. 14 7 vs. 10

Key Players to Watch

Guards’ Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins have combined to score an average of 28.9 points per game this season. They are both shooting better than 43% from the field. Forward Donta Scott leads the team in rebounds with 6.1 a game.

Guard James Bouknight is averaging 19 PPG and shooting 45.3% from the field. Guard R.J. Cole is next on the list with 12.3 PPG but he left his last start with a head injury. Guard Tyrese Martin (10.7 points) is the third Huskie scoring in double figures.

• MARY - Aaron Wiggins (14 PPG, 5.9 RPG)
• MARY - Eric Ayala (14.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG)

• CONN - James Bouknight (19 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
• CONN - R.J. Cole (12.3 PPG, 4.4 APG)

Head-to-Head - Maryland vs. UConn

These two teams have met four previous times with Maryland holding a SU 3-1 edge while covering ATS in all four contests. The total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in the last three games between the two. They last met in the 2015/2016 season.

March Madness Records & Trends

Maryland Terrapins

• All-Time Record: 42-27
• Last Appearance: 2019
• Deepest Run: Champion (2002)

-- Maryland has lost three of its last four NCAA Tournament games.
-- Maryland has failed to reach the Sweet 16 in seven of its last eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Maryland has been eliminated by a school seeded No. 5 or lower in nine of its last 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Maryland has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games.
-- Maryland has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last six games.  

UConn Huskies

• All-Time Record: 59-30
• Last Appearance: 2016
• Deepest Run: Champion (2014)

-- UConn has won 17 of its last 20 NCAA Tournament games.
-- UConn has won the National Championship in two of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- UConn has reached the Sweet 16 in 12 of its last 17 NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- UConn has covered the spread in seven of its last nine games when playing away from home.
-- UConn has covered the spread in seven of its last nine games.

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