Maryland Terrapins (6-4) vs. UCLA Bruins (5-4)
On Friday, as the NCAA Men’s Basketball season advances, an exciting clash awaits between Maryland Terrapins and UCLA Bruins. Both squads have made promising starts to their respective campaigns with Maryland currently at 6-4 and UCLA coming close behind at 5-4 respectively. Set for Pauley Pavilion for maximum excitement and anticipation among basketball enthusiasts alike. Fans can tune into live coverage via ESP2 or stream it from various top casino online, combining sports with gaming!
Maryland Terrapins have played well this season, averaging 73.4 points per game with a 41.6% field goal percentage and 8.7 steals and 4.8 blocks on defense per game. Their 3-point shooting, however, could be problematic due to its 25.5% success rate – although 22 out of 34 games since January saw them hit Team Total Under games rather than Team Total Over. Their heavy reliance on free throws with 19.7 made per game shows an intent to draw fouls and capitalize on free-throw opportunities.
At UCLA, their average is 68.1 points per game with an impressive field goal percentage of 43.8% and an effective 3-point game that sees 30.6% success rate; on defense they average 6.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game which are slightly below their opponents; one notable trend being 21 out of 33 Game Total Under games since March of 2016.
Maryland Terrapins vs. UCLA Bruins Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Pauley Pavilion |
| TV: | ESP2 |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jahmir Young (Guard) vs. Sebastian Mack (Guard)
Jahmir Young has been the catalyst for the Terrapins this season. The senior transfer is averaging a team-high 17.2 points along with 4.2 assists per game while shooting over 30% from deep. Young excels at attacking the basket but has also shown the ability to hit shots from the perimeter when needed. He’ll look to push the pace against the Bruins in transition. However, Young has struggled with turnovers at times, coughing up the ball 3.3 times per contest.
For UCLA, Sebastian Mack provides steady play on both ends. The sophomore guard chips in 13.7 points and 4.7 boards each time out. Mack shoots a modest 37.3% from the field but contributes across multiple categories for the Bruins. His on-ball defense could give Young some issues in this matchup. However, Mack doesn’t create much offense for teammates, averaging under 2 assists per game. His ability to slow down Young could sway this game in UCLA’s favor.
This clash of talented guards should go a long way in determining Friday’s outcome. If Young can limit his miscues while still aggressively attacking, it could lead to a productive night. But if Mack can force Young into contested looks, the Terps offense may stagnate. Expect plenty of action when these two match up.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but given the teams’ recent trends, it could be a closely contested affair. Bettors should keep an eye on the spread and moneyline as the game approaches, using Maryland’s strong home record and UCLA’s defensive trends as key factors in decision-making.
Maryland Terrapins Betting Trends
Maryland has found great success at home this season, evidenced by their 16-game home winning streak. The Terrapins have also dominated the first half moneyline in College Park, going 16-3 over their last 19 contests. With UCLA making the long trip east, look for Maryland to come out strong early on.
UCLA Bruins Betting Trends
It’s been an up and down year for UCLA against the spread, as they’ve lost units in both the full game and first half moneylines. The Bruins have been slightly better at hitting unders, with 21 of their last 33 finishing below the total. Slowing down the pace and forcing teams into tight possessions has worked for UCLA recently.
Maryland Terrapins vs. UCLA Bruins 12/22/23 Betting Picks
For this matchup, the key factors will be Maryland’s defense against UCLA’s balanced offense. With Maryland’s home record and UCLA’s inconsistency in the first half, Maryland might have a slight edge. However, UCLA’s ability to control the game tempo could swing the odds in their favor.
In terms of betting, the safer pick could be Maryland, especially considering their strong performance at home. Prop bets on Jahmir Young for scoring and free throws could be lucrative, given his impressive stats. The game total might lean towards the Under, aligning with both teams’ recent trends.
For NCAAB free picks today, the prediction leans towards a close game, with Maryland potentially edging out UCLA. The final score could hover around Maryland 70 – UCLA 67, reflecting both teams’ scoring averages and defensive capabilities.
