Wisconsin vs. Maryland Expert Pick and Prediction – January 29, 2025

WISCONSIN VS. MARYLAND EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – January 29, 2025 — This is a major opportunity for Maryland, as the Terrapins have a chance to get themselves into the mix for a top-four seed in the Big Ten. Maryland is currently leading the pack of the four-loss teams, which means the Terps are at the head of a logjam behind the Michigans, Purdue and Wisconsin.

The Badgers are trying to stay out of that muck, but that’s not going to be easy. Out of six remaining road games, Wisconsin has to go to Maryland, Michigan State and Purdue. Right now, the Badgers are sitting fourth, which means they wouldn’t take the court in Indianapolis until Friday of the Big Ten tournament, and it would be virtually impossible for them to take a bad loss.

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Losing to Maryland would change that, and the Terrapins are exactly the type of team that can give the Badgers trouble. Wisconsin leads the nation in free throw percentage, but they aren’t good at getting off shots. You can only shoot free throws if a team is going to foul you, which Maryland usually doesn’t do.

When the Badgers do get shots off, they’re good shooters. But you really don’t want to get into a basket-making contest with Maryland. The Terrapins are excellent shooters, and they can shoot the lights out from behind the arc. You have to force Maryland to waste possessions, which isn’t something that happens very often.

The Odds

Tipoff

When: Wednesday, January 29 at 7 p.m.

Where: Xfinity Center, College Park, Md.

TV: BTN

Public Bets: Unavailable

Public Money: Unavailable

Wisconsin vs. Maryland In-Season Trends

These teams usually have a battle. Of the past 10 meetings, seven have been decided by six points or less. Their last meeting was an exception, but that wasn’t a fair fight because Maryland had played the night before at the Big Ten tournament and Wisconsin was fresh. As expected, the Badgers blitzed the Terrapins by 31 that day. In the regular season, things were more true to form: Wisconsin won by four points.

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Maryland has been struggling to cover the numbers as of late. The Terrapins are just 1-4 ATS in their past five games, with the exception being a rout of Illinois. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has covered six of its past seven contests.

The Difference-Makers

Julian Reese was a monster against Illinois, going for 27 points and 17 rebounds. The Badgers tend to be at their best inside the paint, and Reese will have to step up again to keep them off the glass.

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John Tonje had a 27-point game of his own last time out, hanging that number on Nebraska. Wisconsin can win without him putting up big numbers (and did against USC, when Tonje didn’t score at all), but it’s much easier when he gets on the arc and starts firing away.

The Pick

As strong as Maryland has been at home, the Terrapins just aren’t covering their numbers lately. Wisconsin has been far more consistent, and the Badgers have a lot more to lose here. A loss would drag the Badgers back to the logjam at a time where they really can’t afford to have that.

Maryland should outlast Wisconsin, but it’s likely to be another tight one between the teams. If you can buy a point and get this to 6.5, that would be even better, but you should be okay at the current line.