Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Picks and Predictions February 6th 2025

Ohio State Seeks Redemption Against No. 18 Maryland in High-Stakes Big Ten Clash

In December, Ohio State suffered one of its most humiliating losses of the season, falling 83-59 to Maryland in its Big Ten opener. Now, two months later, the Buckeyes have a golden opportunity to prove how much they’ve improved when they host the No. 18 Terrapins on Thursday night in Columbus.

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Ohio State’s Chance for Redemption

The Buckeyes (13-9, 5-6 Big Ten) have come a long way since their blowout defeat. Head coach Jake Diebler made it clear that his team hasn’t forgotten that loss.

“Make no mistake. We haven’t forgotten about that. I think it’s certainly in the back of my mind,” Diebler said.

Since that game, Ohio State has secured impressive victories over then-No. 4 Kentucky (85-65) and then-No. 11 Purdue (73-70). The team’s five conference losses outside of Maryland have all been competitive, decided by eight points or fewer, showing a significant improvement in their ability to stay in games.

“We’ve got some quality wins,” Diebler added. “We’ve played an extremely tough schedule, and we have a lot of quality-win opportunities in front of us.”

One of those opportunities will come Thursday, as Ohio State faces a red-hot Maryland squad looking to extend its winning streak.

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Maryland Riding High on Momentum

The Terrapins (17-5, 7-4 Big Ten) enter this matchup on a four-game winning streak, including key road victories over Indiana and then-No. 17 Illinois. Their resurgence has been fueled by resilience and strong performances from key players.

Head coach Kevin Willard credited his team’s mentality for their turnaround.

“They could have let a lot of negativity affect them,” Willard said. “Their attitude has been just phenomenal. I think that’s the biggest thing. They’ve been really resilient.”

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

Maryland’s Dominant Frontcourt

The biggest challenge for Ohio State will be Maryland’s imposing frontcourt duo:

• Julian Reese (6’9”) – Averaging 15.8 points and 11.3 rebounds over the last four games.
• Derick Queen (6’10”) – Maryland’s top scorer with 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

Ohio State will need a strong defensive effort inside, as Diebler acknowledged:

“We’re gonna need everybody with size ready to go. (Maryland has) maybe the best frontcourt in the league.”

Three-Point Battle

Maryland has been lethal from deep, hitting 12 of 24 three-pointers in each of its last two games. The sharpshooting duo of:

• Rodney Rice – 8-for-13 from three (61.5%)
• Selton Miguel – 7-for-11 from three (63.6%)

poses a major threat to Ohio State’s perimeter defense.

Meanwhile, Ohio State will counter with its own perimeter firepower:

• Bruce Thornton – Leading scorer (17.1 PPG), shooting 45.9% from three.
• John Mobley Jr. – Averaging 13.0 PPG, shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc.

X-Factors for Ohio State

One player who could swing the game in Ohio State’s favor is Devin Royal, who recently had a breakout performance, scoring 29 points in an 87-79 loss to then-No. 18 Illinois. If he can build on that effort, he could be a difference-maker.

Ohio State has also historically played well against Maryland at home, winning the last four meetings in Columbus, including a thrilling 79-75 double-overtime victory last year.

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What’s at Stake?

With the Terrapins holding a narrow 12-11 lead in the all-time series, Thursday’s matchup carries both historical and postseason implications. Maryland looks to solidify its Top 25 standing, while Ohio State seeks to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume with a statement win.

As Diebler put it:

“We’re so different than when we went there. We’ve grown so much. This is really a huge opportunity for us that we need to take advantage of.”

Final Thoughts

Ohio State’s improvement and home-court advantage make this a compelling rematch, but Maryland’s frontcourt dominance and hot shooting streak present major challenges. Will the Buckeyes get their redemption, or will Maryland extend its winning streak?

Tip-off is set for Thursday night in Columbus, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.