The Maryland Terrapins and Iowa Hawkeyes will meet in the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. The Terrapins got a win in the opening round of the tournament, taking advantage of some woeful offense from Oregon, while Iowa will try to improve their NCAA Tournament prospects with a win here. Before tip-off from Chicago, you can find my Maryland vs Iowa prediction right here.
Pick: Iowa -10.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
The biggest storyline entering this contest is the rubber match set to take place here. Maryland shocked Iowa earlier in the season with a 77-70 victory that snapped a six-game Hawkeyes winning streak. The Terrapins shot over 53% from the field in that game and dominated the boards, proving they can compete when their offense finds rhythm. But Iowa won the first matchup between these teams this season, and the winner of this game will advance and win their season series.
For Iowa, the focus is consistency. The Hawkeyes have been one of the better offensive teams in the conference and typically control games with efficient shooting and experienced guard play. Their earlier loss to Maryland largely came from cold outside shooting and a late scoring drought. Expect a more aggressive approach this time around.
Maryland Terrapins
Iowa Hawkeyes
Category | Iowa | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 75.4 | 69.9 |
Points allowed per game | 65.8 | 76.6 |
Team Field Goal % | 49% | 41% |
Rebounds per game | 29.7 | 35.4 |
Assists per game | 15.2 | 10.5 |
Score Projection: Iowa 78 – Maryland 65 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Iowa 66%, Maryland 34% ATS PRO
Maryland proved earlier this season it can surprise Iowa, particularly when the Terrapins control the glass and shoot efficiently. However, the overall numbers still favor the Hawkeyes. Iowa owns the stronger offense, better shooting percentages, and the most dynamic player on the court in Bennett Stirtz. If the Hawkeyes avoid the late shooting slump that cost them the previous game, they should be able to create separation in the second half. I will lay the points with the Hawkeyes here.
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