NCAAB: Iowa vs Maryland preview and pick
January 30th, 2020
When No. 15 Maryland and No. 18 Iowa meet on Thursday night, the Hawkeyes will try to do what it’s already done this season, pull off the upset.
Iowa vs. Maryland odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Iowa Hawkeyes | +6 | +200 | O 144.5 |
Maryland Terrapins | -6 | -250 | U 144.5 |
Last matchup
When these two teams met on Jan. 10, it was Iowa who came out on top of the then No. 12 team 67-49. The win over the Terps was the beginning of a five-game win streak the Hawkeyes have been on of late. Their last loss came Jan. 7 against Nebraska in Lincoln. But the matchup earlier this month was in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This time, Iowa will head to College Park to take on the surging Terrapins.
Senior strength
If they’re going to pull off another upset, Iowa will need another good performance from their senior leaders. Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp, and Ryan Kriener are responsible for more than half of the entire team’s offense so far this season. The three seniors are responsible for 57% of Iowa’s points this year, including nearly 70% of their offense during this five-game win streak.
Four Hawks scored in double figures topped by Luka Garza's 28 points. Wieskamp added 18, Toussaint 14, and Kriener with 11 in the victory. pic.twitter.com/aWDw766Mqq
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 23, 2020
Big week in the Big Ten
In a competitive conference such a this one, the Hawkeyes have the chance to get two statement wins this week, starting with Thursday night’s game. Next up after Maryland for Iowa is the No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini back at home.
Illinois currently shares the lead with Michigan State for first in the conference, so a game against them presents big opportunity for Iowa.
Showing resiliency
Iowa is also coming off a win which showed a lot of perseverance. On Monday night, the Hawkeyes came back from a 12-point deficit late in the second half to defeat Wisconsin, 68-62.
Garza had a huge game in that one, with 21 points and 18 boards. Wieskamp added a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
All in all, iowa will definitely have their work cut out for them when the head into College Park. But if those three seniors can continue to put up big numbers and they can learn from this five-game win streak, the Hawkeyes could just pull off the upset and wind up sweeping the Terps on the season.
NCAAB free pick: Iowa +6
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