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Maryland vs. Illinois Predictions: College Basketball Picks – Friday, Dec. 2

Maryland Terrapins forward Donta Scott (24) looks on during a Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Saint Louis Billikens on November 19, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
Image Credit: Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This is an exciting Big Ten Conference game between a pair of Top 25 teams, as Maryland is set to face Illinois on Friday, Dec. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 pm ET while airing on Big Ten Network. Maryland enters this game as 1.5-point favorites with the total set at 144.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Maryland vs. Illinois predictions below.

Maryland vs. Illinois Odds

  • Spread: Maryland -1.5
  • Total: 144.5

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. New to FanDuel? Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review to find out how to redeem a $1,000 risk-free bet!

Game Info

  • Date: Friday, Dec. 2
  • Time: 9 pm ET
  • Location: Xfinity Center — College Park, MD
  • TV: Big Ten Network

Maryland Betting Trends

  • The Terrapins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
  • The Terrapins are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.
  • The Terrapins are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
  • The Terrapins are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.

Illinois Betting Trends

  • The Fighting Illini are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
  • The Fighting Illini are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
  • The Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.

Maryland vs. Illinois Predictions

Maryland enters this game 7-0 while ranking No. 22 in the latest AP Poll. The Terrapins have cruised through their schedule up to this point, winning every game by at least 16 points. That includes an 88-70 win over Miami FL and 79-54 win over Louisville. However, this will be the toughest test for Maryland so far this season, and it’s a real measuring stick as to how this squad will perform against legitimate teams.

Illinois is 6-1 on the year while ranking No. 16 in the country. The Fighting Illini’s only loss came against No. 3 Virginia by a score of 70-61. However, Illinois does have a quality win over No. 21 UCLA while also beating Syracuse 73-44 on Tuesday.

This will be Illinois’ first true road test of the season, and that’s an important thing to consider. Maryland should feed off the energy of its home crowd to secure a conference victory and remain undefeated. Take the Terps.

The Pick: Maryland -1.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook