in NCAA B Free Picks

The No. 24 Maryland Terrapins (22-7) have won five consecutive games straight up, after starting 3-6 in conference play, to move back into the Top-25 this week for the first time in nearly three months.

Tonight, the Terps look to keep it going against the No. 14 Duke Blue Devils (22-7) in a stellar ACC matchup, and there's no doubt sports betting enthusiasts will be tuned into this one.

ACC play has been kind to Maryland backers, as the Terps are 5-0 ATS (against the spread) in their last five vs. ACC opponents.

Ironically, Maryland began their run with a 72-60 home cover victory over the Blue Devils on Feb. 11 and now the two meet again. It was Duke's fourth straight defeat at the time, its longest losing streak in 11 years, and dropped the team out of the rankings for the first time since 1996.

That's the last time the Blue Devils lost, having since won four consecutive games straight up to climb to No. 14.

Duke won both meetings with the Terrapins last season, but they enter this matchup looking to avoid being swept in the regular-season series for the second time in three years.

North Carolina, 89-87 on Sunday, a cover win. The Terps have now collected pay checks in their last five consecutive games.

Guard D.J. Strawberry scored a career-high 27 points on 12-for-18 shooting for the Terrapins, shooting 64.3 percent in the second half. They rallied from a 12-point deficit with just over seven minutes to play.

Strawberry, who averages a team-leading 15.1 points, was named ACC player of the week for the second week in a row, as he averaged 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two games. He had just ten points, though, in the first meeting with Duke.

Maryland, which has won three straight road games after losing its first four in ACC play, has shot 50 percent from the field during its five-game win streak while making 22-of-53 (41.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

The hot shooting has proven profitable away from home for Maryland supporters, where the Terps are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.

The Blue Devils won three straight ACC games by a combined 22 points before stepping out of conference Sunday for a 67-50 victory at St. John's. The Blue Devils have now covered the spread in their last four games.

Greg Paulus scored 19 points as Duke played well despite shooting 43.5 percent -- its lowest mark during the four-game win streak. The Blue Devils defense was strong, holding the Red Storm to 34.0 percent from the field. Sophomore forward Josh McRoberts had 20 points and eight rebounds against Maryland earlier this month but has slumped recently, averaging 8.3 points and 5.3 boards over the last three games. Hump Day has been unkind to Duke investors, as the Blue Devils are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games played on Wednesdays. It's a different story for the Maryland faithful, as the Terrapins are 25-8 ATS in their last 33 Wednesday games.

Wednesday, February 28 --- Cameron Indoor Stadium, NC --- 9pm EST

Line: Duke -6 (138½)

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