LSU

Can LSU Avoid Another Shaky 2nd Half to Cover Spread vs Maryland?

Things will need to sharpen up for the No. 3 LSU Tigers when they face the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers were beating Yale by double digits in the first round, then allowed the Ivy League school to climb back into the game and needed a late rally to get the W. That type of lax effort could end up being their downfall vs the Terps, who have a huge frontcourt and one of the best defenses in the nation.

The Tigers opened as 2.5-point favorites with a total of 147.

Maryland vs LSU Game Center

STANDOUT STATS

  • Maryland has been one of the top defenses in the country this season, ranking 33rd in points allowed per game (65.4), 14th in opponent field-goal percentage (39.7 percent) and 46th in opponent three-point percentage (31.9 percent).
  • In Maryland’s first tournament game vs Belmont, Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith combined for 34 points and 25 rebounds while the Terps held Belmont to 32 percent shooting from behind the arc.
  • LSU has been an awful three-point shooting team for most of the season and that reared its ugly head vs Yale in the Round of 64, when the Tigers shot only 23.5 percent behind the arc. On the season, LSU ranked 284th in the NCAA in three-point shooting percentage (32.1) on 21 attempts per game (ranked 230th).
  • It will be a battle of the big men with Maryland’s Bruno Fernando matching up with LSU’s Naz Reid. Fernando has been a beast down low all season as he averages 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Reid was a prized freshman for LSU’s recruiting class and the freshman averages 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and less than a block per game. That being said, Reid had notched a double-double in five of his last seven games.
  • The total opened at 147 and if LSU games lately are any indication, this game may go OVER. Since the start of February, the average final score in LSU’s last 13 games is 154.5, with only four of those games not surpassing 147 points.

My Best Bet for Maryland vs LSU

Maryland +2.5

I’m riding with the Terps in this one because of the turmoil in the Tigers’ locker room from the exile of their head coach and the fact that their defense has been pretty bad for most of the year. They’re used to overwhelming opponents with their size and athleticism but that won’t work against the Terps, who have two excellent big men. That means LSU will need to hit outside shots and that’s a phase of the game where the Tigers have been below average at best. I think the Terps crush them inside and likely win outright.

Maryland ranks 33rd in the NCAA in scoring defense.away LSU ranks 284th in three-point shooting percentage.home The average combined score in LSU’s last 13 games is 154.5.home
Back to Top