Maryland vs. Illinois Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Maryland Terrapins (8-10, 8-10 ATS, 12-6 O/U) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (15-3, 10-8 ATS, 5-13 O/U) in a Big Ten meeting on Wednesday evening, and we have the prediction. The Terrapins were hit with a loss by Penn State on Saturday. The Fighting Illinois earned a home win against Minnesota in their previous action. Maryland went 2-0 against Illinois last season.
Can the Fighting Illini take this one by 20 + points on Wednesday? Check out the Maryland vs. Illinois prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAB Picks!
Maryland Eyes Second Conference Win
The Maryland Terrapins are seeking just their second conference win of the season. Maryland is having difficulty winning games due to its poor defense. The Terrapins have experienced a daunting schedule, including losses against Gonzaga and Alabama.
Maryland covered in a loss against UCLA back on January 10th. They were big dogs in a 90-69 road defeat against USC and answered with a dominant 96-73 home win against Penn State on Sunday in a game that had the Terrapins marked as 1.5 favorites. They connected on 54% of their shots in the win and held Penn State to a 50% mark. They stand at 1-6 in Big Ten play and have covered the spread in two of their past five games.
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Pharell Payne has been a positive, sinking 20 points in five games this season. The senior forward has outstanding numbers, averaging 17.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG. David Colt is capable of big numbers and shoots a ton of threes. The senior guard has posted an average of 15 PPG on the season.
Darius Adams has netted double digits in five of his last six games. The freshman guard has issued an average of 12.6 PPG on 32% shooting. Solomon Washington scored just six points against Penn State. The senior forward has netted an average of 10 PPG. Elijah Saunders has scored 16 or more in three of his past five games. The senior forward is averaging 10 PPG on the season.
The Terrapins are ranked 112th in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and are 1-4 on the road, including a defeat against Virginia of the ACC. Maryland is averaging 74.5 points on the season, ranking them 235th. The Terrapins are squandering an average of 77.8 points, pegging them 295th.
Illinois resumes Dominance in Sixth Big Ten Win
The Illinois Fighting Illini are targeting their eighth straight win in this one. Illinois is battling atop the Big Ten standings. They are 6-1 in conference play. The only conference defeat was against Nebraska last month. Illinois has beaten Penn State and Iowa on the road this season.
The Fighting Illini enjoyed more success in a 69-62 road win against a good Northwestern team last week. The strong defense resumed in a 77-67 home win against Minnesota on Saturday in a bout that had the Fighting Illinois marked as the big 12-point favorites. Illinois was not at its best in the offensive end, shooting only 41%. The defense came through, keeping Minnesota to a 40% efficiency. The Fighting Illini have covered the spread in three of their past five games.
Keaton Wagler is having an outstanding season and has been consistent, sinking 16 or more points in five straight games. The freshman guard scored 17 points in the win on Saturday and is sporting an average of 16.1 PPG and 5.1 RPG. Kylan Boswell has shot at least 50% in three of his past five efforts. The senior guard has registered an average of 14.3 PPG on the season.
Andrej Stojakovic is also a big scoring threat. The junior guard has amassed at least 15 points in all but two conference games and is averaging 13.5 PPG. David Mirkovic scored 12 points in the win on the weekend. The freshman forward has reported 12 PPG. Tomislav Ivisic has connected on 50% of his shots in three of his past five games. The junior is averaging 10.5 PPG.
The Fighting Illini are positioned seventh in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and climbed two spots to #11 in the recent edition of the AP Top 25 rankings this week. Illinois stands at 9-1 at home, including two Big Ten wins. Illinois is posting an average of 85.1 points on the year, rating them 50th. The Fighting Illini have conceded 65 or fewer points in five of their past six games and are keeping opponents to an average of 67.4 points, placing them 25th in the country.
Maryland vs. Illinois Pick
Spread Pick for Maryland vs. Illinois
- Illinois Fighting Illini -19.5 (5 units)
The Maryland Terrapins are one of the worst teams in the entire Big Ten. They have managed just one conference win. The Illinois Fighting Illini are one of the best teams in the entire country. They have dropped just one Big Ten game and continue to thrive, winning nine of their past 10 games.
Furthermore, Maryland does not have the scoring punch to keep this game within reach. They are only averaging 111.7 points per 100 possessions compared to an astounding 129 points per 100 by the potent Illinois offense, ranking them third in DI in adjusted offensive efficiency. The Fighting Illini are also the stronger defensive squad here, conceding 7.5 fewer points per 100. Maryland has not been competitive in their conference losses. Each of their Big Ten defeats has been by double digits. Illinois has won by 10 or more points in all but two home games.
Over/Under Pick for Maryland vs. Illinois
- Under 148.5 (5 units)
I expect this one to go under. Maryland is weak offensively. They stand near the bottom in field goal efficiency and three-point shooting. They were kept to 66 points by Indiana and 55 by UCLA this month. The Fighting Illini are another strong defensive squad that should keep them in check once again. They are keeping opponents to 39.5% shooting.
In addition, Illinois plays at a slower pace, ranking 250th in DI in adjusted tempo. The Illini's defense continues to dominate. They have conceded 68 or fewer points in five of their past six bouts. Also, Illinois has seen its offensive production dip in conference action. They have netted 79 or fewer points in three straight games, below their season average of 85 points. The under is a convincing 5-1 in the Illini’s previous six games.
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