The women's college basketball conference tournaments roll on today with another busy day. But which one(s) should you bet on? Today's focus is on the Big Ten Conference Tournament with our top women's college basketball picks & predictions.
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Thursday’s Best Women’s College Basketball Picks & Predictions
Oregon Ducks at No. 14 Maryland Terrapins
Maryland (23-7, 11-7 in the Big Ten) ended the regular season with a hard 87-69 loss to No. 8 Michigan that brought a six-game winning streak to an end. That streak was preceded by a four-game losing streak, including a 68-61 loss to Oregon. Oregon had a solid season but struggled down the stretch in Big Ten play. The regular season ended with a solid 82-64 win over Purdue, but they had lost four of their previous six games.
In the previous game versus Maryland, the Ducks pulled ahead late in the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run. Addi Mack got the Terrapins going when she hit a couple of free throws with 27 seconds on the clock. But Oregon was able to preserve the win by hitting five out of six free throws in the final seconds.
Maryland is the better team and should win this game, just like they should have won the first time. Oregon had been coming off a couple of wins before that game, but they were inconsistent down the stretch run, losing four of their last seven games. As long as the Terrapins stay focused and don't go cold, they should easily cover the spread.
Pick: Maryland -6.5 (-115 Caesars Sportsbook)
Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 18 Michigan State Spartans
When these two met during the regular season, Illinois was 13-2 and riding an 11-game winning streak while Michigan State was 13-1 and on a five-game winning streak. As for the game, it was a tale of two halves: Michigan State won the first (44-32) and Illinois the second (43-37). The Spartans won 81-75.
Michigan State had a hard finish to the regular season, losing five out of eight games down the stretch. All five losses were to ranked teams. They ended the regular season with an 87-68 loss to Ohio State. Illinois went 4-4 down the stretch, with losses to No. 9 Iowa and No. 22 Minnesota, but won four of its last six.
Neither plays great defense, each allowing right around 66 points per game. But both play well on the offensive end. However, Michigan State has averaged more points per game at 83.5 compared to Illinois’s 78.3. These are two somewhat evenly matched teams. I expect it to be another close, competitive game, much like the regular-season matchup, with a similar final score, so we are betting the over.
Pick: Over 149.5 Points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
