Colorado State has had difficulty against good offensive teams and the Terrapins have had their most efficient offense in recent memory. Maryland has an edge on the offensive boards, grabbing nine more boards per game which will give them more second chance opportunities. They protect the ball better, have the 8th best defense in the country and the Rams offense revolves around Nique Clifford which if Maryland can slow him down their defense will handle the rest.

I was high on Grand Canyon, so what the Terps did to the Lopes left a big impression. The Rams have won and covered 11 straight, but they don't match up well with Maryland's dominant frontcourt. I doubt Kyan Evans can replicate his 6-of-9 shooting performance from deep. Look for the Big Ten to keep cashing tickets as the Terps pull away late.

I'd lay up to 9.5 with the Terps. Much has been made about their weak bench, but it showed up big for them in the tourney opener. They got key starters some rest. The inside combo of Julian Reese and Derik Queen will dictate this game. Colorado State lacks that kind of interior presence. The Rams' 6-11 sophomore, Nikola Djapa, has 32 rebounds all season. The Rams lack the Terps' seasoning, as they play a ton of underclassmen. Colorado State's negative assist-to-turnover ratio will be an issue versus an elite defensive team (No. 6 in defensive efficiency, per KenPom). Maryland creates lots of turnovers, can press on a moment's notice, and uses an array of defensive looks that can confound unfamiliar opponents.