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Circled as one of the first-round games that March Madness fans are expecting to be among the most thrilling is West Virginia vs Maryland. This 8 vs. 9 seed matchup in the South Region has West Virginia as a slight favorite (-2.5) and will tip off at 12:15 EST on Thursday.
West Virginia (19-14) was just 7-11 in Big 12 play. The Mountaineers are led in scoring by senior Erik Stevenson, who has averaged 15.5 points along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Fellow seniors Tre Mitchell (11.6 ppg) and Kedrian Johnson (11.2 ppg) are also vital to the team's attack.
As a whole, Bob Huggins' squad ranks 70th in scoring (76.3 ppg), but just 207th in points allowed by giving up 71.0 ppg. West Virginia is not known for its shooting, as the Mountaineers make just 7.3 3-pointers per game (193rd) and shoot just 34.8% from beyond the arc (149th).
Maryland (21-12) also plays with a more defensive style. The Terrapins have allowed just 63.2 ppg this season, which ranks 26th in the country. The Terrapins are careful with the ball, turning it over at the 24th lowest rate in the country, but average just 70.4 ppg which ranks 201st.
This has led them to an 11-9 record in Big Ten play. Maryland is led in scoring by senior guard Jahmir Young, who has averaged 16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 3.2 apg. Three other players are averaging about 11 points per game as well (Hakim Hart, 11.5 ppg; Donta Scott, 11.5 ppg, and Julian Reese, 11.2 ppg).
Both teams rank in the top 25 in the KenPom rankings, suggesting that neither got the respect in the bracket deserved from the NCAA selection committee.
Prediction for West Virginia vs Maryland:
Neither of these teams is known for lighting up the scoreboard, and both can lock things up defensively. Expect this to be a hard-fought game with neither team ever taking full control.
However, give West Virginia the edge and for their experience to play a factor. The team leans on six seniors in their rotation, and only one younger player, sophomore James Okonkwo, plays meaningful minutes. The team looks to be getting hot at the right time, winning four of its last six, with its two losses coming at the hands of defending national champion Kansas.
It should also be expected to be a low-scoring matchup, so lean toward the under when looking at the line of 137.5 on the game. This is a more sure thing than the result for either team considering how even the two teams are. Maryland has little margin for error, so count on West Virginia to come out on top in this slugfest.
Expect Maryland to slow the pace and try to contain the tempo, but for the Terrapins still to have issues scoring. The Mountaineers have more ways they can succeed on the offensive end, and expect this to make the difference in the matchup.
