basketball betting
The UCLA Bruins (11-4, 2-2 Big Ten) travel east to face the Maryland Terrapins (11-4, 1-3 Big Ten) tonight at 8 p.m. ET at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent losses and regain their footing in a competitive season.
UCLA enters the matchup following a 94-75 defeat to No. 24 Michigan earlier this week. The loss marked their second consecutive defeat and third in the last four games, leaving head coach Mick Cronin visibly frustrated. “We got outworked and outplayed in every phase of the game,” Cronin said during the postgame press conference. “That’s not UCLA basketball. If we don’t start defending better and controlling the glass, we’re going to keep getting embarrassed.” His sharp critique underscores the Bruins’ struggles, particularly on the defensive end, where they allowed Michigan to shoot 54% from the field.
Despite the recent slump, the Bruins have shown flashes of offensive brilliance this season. Guard Amari Bailey continues to be a key contributor, averaging 17.4 points per game, while forward Adem Bona anchors the paint with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. UCLA ranks 108th nationally in field goal percentage, a testament to their ability to generate efficient looks when their offense is clicking. However, their defense has been inconsistent, and they’ll need a strong all-around effort to secure a road win.
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| UCLA has covered the spread in 4 of their last 6 matchups against Maryland. |  |
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Maryland has won just 1 of their last 5 games against Big Ten conference opponents. |
Maryland, on the other hand, is also seeking redemption after back-to-back road losses to Washington and No. 9 Oregon. The Terrapins boast an 8-0 record at home this season, making the Xfinity Center a tough environment for opponents. Jahmir Young leads Maryland in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game, while Julian Reese adds physicality in the post. Head coach Kevin Willard emphasized the importance of tonight’s game, calling it a “must-win” to keep their Big Ten aspirations alive.
Key to tonight’s game will be the battle of pace and execution. UCLA thrives in transition, but Maryland’s ability to slow the game down and dominate the half-court could spell trouble for the Bruins. For Cronin’s squad, it’s a chance to respond to criticism and prove they can compete against tough competition on the road.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, with national coverage on ESPN. Both teams are desperate for a win, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in College Park.
It’s 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐘 in Maryland.
No. 22 UCLA (11-4) returns to the court tonight at Maryland (11-4) in a @B1GMBBall contest at Xfinity Center in College Park.
⏰: 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET)
📺: FOX
📻: @AM570LASports
📊: https://t.co/uUZsVu7hyL#GoBruins 🏀 pic.twitter.com/ZLAsl0giN0— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 10, 2025
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