A share of the Big Ten title remains a possibility for No. 22 Ohio State as it enters Sunday's game at Maryland with four victories in its last five games. The Buckeyes (18-7, 11-5 Big Ten) picked up a huge win at No. 15 Illinois on Thursday to stay in the hunt for a league crown, but they can't afford a slip-up against the Terrapins (13-15, 5-12) if they want to remain in the hunt during the last week of the season
Ohio State won the first meeting 82-67 on Feb. 6, but that game was at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes have lost just once this season. Maryland has beaten Illinois at home and taken others, such as Wisconsin and Michigan State, down to the wire inside the Xfinity Center.
In the first meeting, Ohio State star forward E.J. Liddell turned in a gem with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Donta Scott countered with 25 points for Maryland, but he has shot just 38.5% from the floor in his last five games since then and gone 0-for from beyond the arc in his last three games. If Maryland is going to pull an upset, having Scott at his best is a must.
Liddell is a lot for any team to handle, and with Ohio State freshman guard Malaki Branham also on a roll as of late, it's going to take a lot on both ends for Maryland to pull the upset.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Maryland live
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Xfinity Center -- College Park, Maryland
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App
Ohio State vs. Maryland prediction, picks
With Malaki Branham emerging as a complimentary star to Liddell, Ohio State's best player, the Buckeyes are a lot to handle right now. Maryland will be lucky to keep it close against a team that is still playing for a Big Ten title. Unless Scott goes off like he did in the first meeting, look for the Buckeyes to win big Prediction: Ohio State 91, Maryland 75
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