The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (3-6) will try to put an end to a five-game road losing streak when they clash against the Maryland Terrapins (10-3) at Xfinity Center. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 154 points with Maryland set as a 22-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Maryland Terrapins Free Preview
In the Knights last outing, they lost big to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 92-54. Fairleigh Dickinson’s Noah Morgan had a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Rutgers offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Fairleigh Dickinson. The Scarlet Knights had a rate of 41.2 (above their season average of 38.5), while the Knights posted a mark of 22.2 (below their season average of 28.9).
The Terrapins hope to maintain momentum after beating the Catholic University Cardinals in their last game, 76-59. Maryland rallied around Anthony Cowan, who led the team in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Maryland played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.255 (matching their season average) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.618 (above their season average of 0.574). Catholic University was 0.109 and 0.406, respectively, for those same stats.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Maryland offense. Since last season, Maryland ranks 255th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.4 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Fairleigh Dickinson has forced the 39th-most turnovers in the nation (20.5 percent). Conflicting styles will be on display in this matchup. The up-tempo Knights rank 35th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Terrapins rank 279th.
Maryland is 10-3 SU and 4-4-1 ATS. Of the Terrapins seven games that accepted bets, four have finished over the O/U total.
Kevin Huerter has taken his game to another level recently for Maryland, averaging 18.2 points over the last five games.
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights vs. Maryland Terrapins Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Maryland, ATS Winner – Fairleigh Dickinson, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Knights rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Terrapins rank 83rd (3.3).
- Maryland ranks 141st in three pointers attempted per game (22.3) while Fairleigh Dickinson ranks 161st in three pointers allowed per game (20.4).
- Maryland ranks 37th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while Fairleigh Dickinson ranks 202nd (14.8).
- The Knights rank 15th in steals per game (7.0) while the Terrapins rank 164th (5.4).
- Maryland ranks 119th in rebounds per game (36.7) while Fairleigh Dickinson ranks 197th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
