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Maryland and Michigan State square off for the second time of the season, and college basketball fans are only hoping the game will be half as good this time around. It took a dramatic three-pointer from senior leader Dez Wells and two extra periods for the Terps to clinch the victory in their first-ever Big Ten conference game. Now in College Park, Michigan State will look to spoil the red-out and leave for East Lansing with a big road win.
Last game, Maryland pulled away from Rutgers in the second half and defeated the Scarlett Knights 73-65. The Rutgers shocked the college basketball world when they beat a Frank Kamisky-less Wisconsin team and had Maryland on upset alert again, but the Terps prevailed in large part to the three-point shooting from Wells, Melo Trimble and most notably, Jared Nickens. Now 4-1 in conference play, Maryland is the top team in the Big Ten.
Michigan State is coming off a three-game winning streak which saw them defeat Indiana, Iowa and Northwestern in order. The Spartans have been red-hot since losing the home game to the Terps and will certainly look for revenge behind the monster play of Travis Trice. The last time the Terps and Spartans clashed, Trice dropped 26 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and will be looking for more of the same this go around.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network and live audio available here.
Online streaming: CBS.com
Rankings and records: Maryland is 16-2 and ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll. Michigan State is 12-6 and ranked No. 19 in the KenPom rankings and received 67 votes to be ranked in the top 25 this week. Odds: Maryland is a 2.5 point favorite KenPom's prediction: Maryland, 67-64. 64% chance Maryland wins. Maryland can clinch the series sweep against a very good Michigan State team with a win. On top of that, they could be in the running for a top 10 spot in the AP poll with the big win. Michigan State needs a statement win and they will easily be pushed into the top 25 and back into the conversation as a real contender. Melo Trimble vs. Travis Trice. We're going to choose the same matchup that gave Maryland the upper hand back in East Lansing earlier in conference play. Trimble has been the steady hand for the Terps all season long but Trice was a major test for the freshman last game. Trice pestered Trimble all day and had four steals, but it was the confidence at the free throw line for Trimble that solidified the victory late in the game for Maryland. Whoever wins this matchup will have a lot to do with the final outcome of this game. Check out our preview, Maryland's increased odds to win the national title and the newest top 25 polls.The numbers
Two things at stake
One big matchup
Further reading