Penn State Nittany Lions vs Maryland Terrapins Picks and Predictions for Sunday January 18 2026
The Penn State Nittany Lions head to College Park on Sunday afternoon to take on the Maryland Terrapins at XFINITY Center. This Big Ten matchup is set for a 12:00 PM EST tip-off and will be televised on BTN. At the time of publication, the money line, spread, and total are all off the board, but this game still presents an interesting analytical matchup between two teams looking to stop recent slides. Before locking in any wagers, make sure to check out our free college basketball picks for updated odds, trends, and daily betting insight.
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Penn State Searching for Stability on the Road
Penn State enters this matchup with a 9-8 overall record and has struggled to find consistency, particularly away from home. The Nittany Lions have dropped four of their last five games, with recent losses coming against UCLA, Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois, while their lone win in that stretch came against North Carolina Central. Several of those defeats were competitive, including narrow losses to Michigan and Illinois, suggesting Penn State has been close but unable to close games late.
From a statistical standpoint, Penn State averages 77.1 points per game while allowing 75.1 points per contest. The Nittany Lions shoot a respectable 47% from the field, but they have been limited on the glass, pulling down just 31 rebounds per game. Ball movement has been modest at 13.5 assists per game, while defensively they contribute 7.6 steals but just 1.5 blocks per contest.
One notable aspect of Penn State’s profile is its perimeter-oriented approach. The Nittany Lions rely heavily on guard play and jump shooting to generate offense, which can lead to streaky performances. When shots are falling, they can keep pace with most teams, but defensive rebounding and interior resistance remain areas of concern, especially on the road.
Maryland Looking to Defend Home Floor
Maryland comes into Sunday with a 7-10 overall record, and like Penn State, the Terrapins have had difficulty building momentum. They have lost four straight games, including road losses at USC and UCLA, along with home defeats to Indiana and Oregon. Their most recent victory came against Old Dominion, where they were able to control the paint and limit turnovers.
The Terrapins are averaging 73.2 points per game while giving up 78.1 points per contest, a defensive number that has made it difficult for them to stay competitive against higher-level opponents. Maryland is shooting just 40% from the field, one of the lower marks in the conference, though they do a solid job on the boards with 36.5 rebounds per game. Offensively, they average 10.5 assists per game, reflecting a more isolation-heavy style, while defensively they post 2.5 blocks and 5.6 steals per game.
Maryland’s biggest strength is its rebounding edge and physicality in the frontcourt. When the Terrapins are able to slow the pace and turn games into half-court battles, they are more effective. However, inconsistent shooting has often undermined their efforts, particularly when they fall behind early. 
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Maryland Terrapins Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ben Burns | +1,203.00 |
| 2 |  Joseph D'Amico | +791.00 |
| 3 |  Bryan Power | +507.00 |
| 4 |  MIT Simulator | +449.00 |
| 5 |  Joe Duffy | +374.00 |
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Maryland Terrapins Pick
- Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions
With the line not yet available, I lean toward Penn State in this matchup once the spread is posted. The Nittany Lions have been more competitive against stronger opponents and have shown the ability to keep games close even during their losing streak. Maryland’s offensive struggles and poor shooting efficiency make it difficult to trust them to pull away, even at home. If Penn State is catching points, I would be comfortable backing them.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Maryland Terrapins Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I would also lean toward the under once a number is posted. Both teams have struggled offensively in recent games, and Maryland in particular has had trouble scoring efficiently. Penn State prefers a slower tempo when playing on the road, and I expect a grind-it-out Big Ten game that favors defense over pace.
Final Score Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions 72, Maryland Terrapins 68
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