Nebraska vs Maryland Odds, Pick: Should Terps Be Favored?

The depth of the Big Ten will be on full display this Saturday as the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Maryland Terrapins.

The Cornhuskers come into this matchup with some momentum, as they've won three of their last five, which includes a big upset win over Purdue.

As for Maryland, its 4-5 record in conference play has shown how underwhelming it's been to this point. The Terps have veteran talent and have shown signs of life, but consistency appears to be an issue.

The reason for the Cornhuskers' ascension this season has been the efficiency they've played with on the offensive end of the floor. Nebraska comes into this matchup at 24th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and ranks 64th in effective field goal percentage.

The Cornhuskers' efficiency comes from their ability to score from anywhere, as the load is not placed on one guy. Nebraska has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and they will all be needed against the Terrapins' defense.

To its credit, Maryland has been one of the toughest defenses to crack. The Terps are 13th in Adjusted Efficiency and 14th in effective field goal percentage.

Julian Reese will likely shut down the paint, but Nebraska possesses the ability to stretch the floor, and that's the one area where Maryland has been susceptible.

As I alluded to in the open, the Terrapins are a team with the talent to be potent on the offensive end of the floor. The 1-2 punch of point guard Jahmir Young and big man Reese has been a force in the conference for seasons now.

However, the numbers from Maryland, as a whole, are much worse than expected.

The Terrapins come into this matchup 280th in effective field goal percentage. Much of those struggles come from the perimeter, as they're shooting just 35% from the mid-range and 29% from beyond the arc.

Unfortunately for Maryland, it'll face a Nebraska team that's been stout inside the arc. The Cornhuskers are 41st in 2-point percentage allowed.

With the Terrapins' shots inside the arc expected to be well contested and their struggles from the perimeter potentially continuing, their offensive outlook is bleak.

This matchup is going to be tight, as we've seen how well these teams match up. However, the spread gives one side some value.

Maryland hasn't earned the right to be a full possession favorite over a conference opponent, and certainly not a surging one like Nebraska.

Take the points and back the Cornhuskers.

Pick: Nebraska +3.5

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