The Maryland Terrapins (8-11) take on the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (17-2) in East Lansing, Michigan. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on CBS.
Michigan State is favored by 17.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -3000. The total is set at 139.5 points.
Here’s my Maryland vs. Michigan State prediction and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Maryland vs Michigan State Prediction, Pick
My Pick: Under 139.5 (Play to 138)
My Maryland vs Michigan State best bet is on the under. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Maryland vs. Michigan State Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -105 | 139.5 -110 / -110 | +1400 |
| Michigan State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -115 | 139.5 -110 / -110 | -3000 |
- Maryland vs Michigan State spread: Michigan State -17.5
- Maryland vs Michigan State over/under: 139.5 points
- Maryland vs Michigan State moneyline: Maryland +1400, Michigan State -3000
Maryland vs Michigan State Game Preview
Maryland Terrapins
Can we still blame Kevin Willard for this?
The Buzz Williams Era should get better in future, healthier years, but you have to feel for Terps fans in their current state. Since Pharrell Payne's latest injury, Maryland is just 2-6 outright.
And it isn't getting any easier. For bottom-dwelling Big Ten teams this season, at some point, the schedule comes calling. Following a blowout loss at Illinois on Wednesday, Maryland now has to face Michigan State at the Breslin Center before hosting Purdue next week.
We have already seen another team at the bottom of the Big Ten barrel, Penn State, survive this type of three-game gauntlet by rising to the occasion and covering in all three of those games. But it won't be easy for Maryland, as, matchup-wise, Michigan State is the last type of team it wants to see.
In recent games, Maryland's offense has been as one-dimensional as they come — it's the Diggy Coit show.
Give credit to Coit, who has been sensational, including a 30-point first half last week against Penn State. But Coit should be stifled significantly on the road against Michigan State with Jeremy Fears Jr. as his primary defender.
Outside of Coit, the two things Maryland does well offensively are generate second chances and get to the free-throw line. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, Michigan State is the No. 1 defensive rebounding team in college basketball and ranks in the top 50 in avoiding fouls.
It's a bad formula for an underdog on the road at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State Spartans
On the other side of this matchup, the Spartans have been rolling. Tom Izzo's latest edition has won five straight and is up to 7-1 outright in Big Ten play. Maybe the biggest question with this group right now: Is it bored yet?
Michigan State has played one top-30 opponent in the last six weeks — its road loss to Nebraska. The Spartans have handled themselves remarkably well against cupcakes, and that says something. But with bigger games looming, focus will be the question.
This is an interesting schedule spot for Michigan State, as it hosts Michigan in its biggest game of the season in six days. This is also Michigan State's first game back home from its West Coast trip. Last season, we saw a bit of a hangover effect for traditional Big Ten teams returning home from that travel.
The good news for Michigan State is that its defense travels and is still deadly even if hungover. The Spartans have rightfully earned the top spot in KenPom's Adjusted Defensive Efficiency rankings, and their relentless intensity on that end eventually cracks overmatched teams over a 40-minute game.
With an offense as one-dimensional as Maryland's, the Spartans should feel great about holding the Terrapins below their projected number.
How To Make Maryland vs. Michigan State Picks
Given the schedule spot for both teams, this could be an ugly watch. Michigan State hasn't fared its best as a big favorite in general, going just 3-7 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more.
But there's no reason to believe Maryland will be able to find offensive success against this Spartans defense.
Which leads me back to the under, which has been a constant trend for Michigan State games this season. 14 of its last 18 games have gone under the pregame line, including six straight. Let's hope that trend continues.
My Pick: Under 139.5 (Play to 138)
