Wednesday’s College Basketball Betting Previews: Nebraska-Maryland, Texas Tech-West Virginia

Wednesday’s College Basketball Betting Previews: Nebraska-Maryland, Texas Tech-West Virginia article feature image
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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Bruno Fernando

If yesterday's action didn't provide enough of a thrill, expect plenty of exercise with the remote control tonight. Eight ranked teams are in action, including No. 24 Nebraska squaring off against Maryland before No. 11 Texas Tech faces West Virginia.

Which sides provide more value? Let's breakdown the matchups.


>> All odds as of Wednesday morning. Download The Action Network App to get real-time NCAAB odds and track your bets.


Betting Odds For Nebraska at Maryland 

  • Spread: Maryland -1
  • Over/Under: 142
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: Big Ten Network

The Terrapins (7-6 against the spread) resume their Big Ten docket with a size advantage against the Cornhuskers (9-2-1 ATS), and Nebraska could be without the 6-foot-8 Isiah Roby (groin injury) to top it off.

Although Roby's possible absence will affect Nebraska on the offensive end, expect the Terrapins to have their way inside at the other end regardless. Maryland owns the 33rd-highest two-point percentage (56.7%) in the country, guided by 6-foot-10 bigs Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith.

Mark Turgeron would be wise to gameplan via his anchors in the paint and play slower as a result, with 78% of his team's scoring comes from inside the perimeter. They'll be aided by the Cornhuskers allowing the 96th-highest offensive rebounding rate in Division I, too, as Maryland has generated the eighth-best.

Nebraska thrives off ball pressure, turning opponents over at the 36th-highest rate in the nation, but it struggles when predominantly forced into halfcourt sets. Look for the home team's 48th-ranked Adjusted Defensive Efficiency to keep the Cornhuskers out of the lane and halt their inside-out attack.

The Terrapins are 14-7 (66.7%) ATS as a favorite, dating back to last regular season. They'll boost that percentage after this one.

THE PICK: Maryland -1

Texas Tech at West Virginia

  • Spread: Texas Tech -3.5
  • Over/Under: 137
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPNU

Similar to Nebraska, the Mountaineers (7-7 ATS) will likely be without the 6-foot-8 Sagaba Konte (knee injury) — their leading rebounder and shot blocker. The Red Raiders (5-7 ATS) will control the glass because of it, but that's not their only significant edge.

Texas Tech owns the highest-rated AdjD in large part thanks to its turnover forcing prowess (24.9% opponents' turnover rate). West Virginia's backcourt is extremely miscue prone (21.4%), with its point guard James Bolden (21.9%) sitting at the center of that issue. It's also averaging just 102.5 Points Per Possession over the past three games, and I'm expecting its inefficiency to continue against a ball pressure-focused team.

At the other end, Chris Beard's bunch is not only getting sound 3-point looks through its post play, but its transition game is a key cog, as well.

His unit has accumulated the 83rd-highest 3-point percentage (36.4%) in DI, with West Virginia struggling to run opposing shooters off the 3-point line (34.1%). The 6-foot-6 Jarrett Culver (45.2%) is one of the best at the game at creating for his teammates (31.9% assist rate) when they're spotting up from deep, and the Mountaineers don't have a prime matchup for his athleticism if he starts hunting for shots, either.

Despite this game being their first true road test, the Red Raiders are in position to snatch another cover — and continue to prove their March Madness potential.

THE PICK: Texas Tech -3.5

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Sean Treppedi
Mar 28, 2024 UTC