Ohio State vs. Maryland basketball preview, prediction, and odds

OK. Here we go again.

It seems like the Ohio State basketball team has been the forgotten horse in the race for a Big Ten crown, but here we are just a week out from the end of the regular season, and the Buckeyes are still right there, just one game back in the loss column in fourth place.

There sure have been some “what-ifs” and “if-only” things to reflect upon that would have OSU already in first place this season, but that’s every team in the ultra-competitive Big Ten.

Now it’s time for the next step for Ohio State that’s still a game or two behind because of some scheduling quirks this season. The Buckeyes will have to battle fatigue and quick-gameplan installations as they play four games in a week, but at least there’s still a prize potentially out there.

The Buckeyes travel to Maryland Sunday on the first step of that remaining road, and it won’t be easy despite the Terrapins only winning five games in the Big Ten thus far. Will the Terps kill OSU’s dreams of a regular-season crown, or can Ohio State do its part to make a mess of the top of the league?

Here’s what you need to know for the game and how we see it all playing out.

Records and Broadcast Information Records

Ohio State 18-7 (11-5), Maryland 13-15 (5-12)

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date | Sunday, Feb. 27Game Time | 4:00 p.m. ESTVenue | XFINITY Center, College Park, MDNetwork | CBS

Ohio State Potential Game Plan for Victory

COLUMBUS, OHIO – FEBRUARY 06: E.J. Liddell #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots a basket against Donta Scott #24 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Value City Arena on February 06, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

This is a matchup Ohio State should do well with as long as it doesn’t have a poor shooting night. There is some size at times, but the personnel that gets the most minutes is a smaller lineup than most others in the Big Ten. That means forward E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, and Zed Key should be able to get some work done in and around the paint.

Look for OSU to run the offense through post up and touches on the blocks, then look to kick out to open shooters on the perimeter when help undoubtedly comes to help out. Guys like Malaki Branham, Justin Ahrens, and Jamari Wheeler should find some open looks and will need to knock them down.

On defense, the Buckeyes will have to work hard to stop penetration from an athletic bunch of guards that like to find seams with the dribble drives and either finish around the rim, or get the defense out of its shape and find open looks. Maryland isn’t a great 3-point shooting team, so erring on the side of allowing shots on the outside rather than playing in-your-face defense on the guards will most likely be the way to go.

Key Player for Ohio State

Sun., Jan. 9, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; �55 and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) talk during a free throw during the first half of an NCAA Division I men’s basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats at Value City Arena.Sports Ncaa Mbk Northwestern Wildcats At Ohio State Buckeyes

Guard, Justin Ahrens

Ahrens has been awfully spotty as of late, but he could be key in this one as Maryland looks to rally to the ball on the blocks and with extra attention on budding star Malaki Branham. There’s going to be a lot of attention on those two either on post-ups by Liddell, or on the drive by Branham. As that help comes off, Ahrens should get plenty of chances to relocate and spot up for open looks to bomb away from deep. If he can knock those down like what we’ve seen in the past, Ohio State could make life very difficult on the Terps.

Key Player for Maryland

Feb 6, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Fatts Russell (4) dribbles past Ohio State Buckeyes forward Kyle Young (25) during the first half at Value City Arena. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Guard, Fatts Russell

Not only is Fatts Russell the leading scorer for Maryland this season, but he’s also the one that gets the Terps off and running on the offensive end. He’ll have the ball in his hands a lot coming up the floor and he’s an offensive-minded guy that will probe for openings with his quickness and ability to beat guys off-the-dribble. He can be a hard matchup if he gets downhill and isn’t afraid to get others involved either if the defense is able to seek out and help.

The Prediction

COLUMBUS, OHIO – FEBRUARY 06: Malaki Branham #22 and Jamari Wheeler #55 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a basket during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Value City Arena on February 06, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Ohio State is increasingly becoming a more dangerous team with the emergence of freshman Malaki Branham. He has become that second scoring option outside of Liddell and is quickly getting notoriety from other head coaches in the league as OSU’s best player now.

Maryland will play very well behind the home crowd, but the Terps don’t have the personnel to stop the combination of Liddell, Branham, and a deep supporting cast surrounding them. Ohio State keeps pace in the Big Ten race for another day.

Final Score

Ohio State 81, Maryland 77

Tipico Line

Ohio State -4.5 (All Betting Lines are Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook)

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