5 Bold Predictions For No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Valparaiso

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Valparaiso

Valparaiso Crusaders vs Maryland Terrapins NCAA Tournament second round 64 — Meeting for the first time since the 1999 NCAA tournament, two teams with considerable March Madness moments have been drawn to duke it out in the round of 64. Here are five things I expect to happen in a game that will intertwine great storylines by continuing the next chapter.

5. Valparaiso Won’t Reach 25 Points By Halftime

Valparaiso Crusaders vs Missouri Tigers NCAA Tournament

5. Valparaiso Won’t Reach 25 Points By Halftime

Valparaiso Crusaders vs Missouri Tigers NCAA Tournament — Against a weak schedule, the Valparaiso Crusaders had a tough time putting up points, ranking just 104th in Division I in scoring offense. Against a much tougher schedule, the Maryland Terrapins held opponents below 65 points per game. The Terrapins' defense doesn’t sound outstanding, but it should be enough to hamper Valpo early.

4. Maryland Will Claim A Big Lead Early

Maryland Terrapins Damonte Dodd NCAA Tournament March Madness

4. Maryland Will Claim A Big Lead Early

Maryland Terrapins Damonte Dodd NCAA Tournament March Madness — Valparaiso hasn’t played a top-50 team all year, so the first moments against Maryland will be a rude awakening. Bryce Drew will need to start drawing up miracle plays early, as Valpo will be unprepared for the tournament’s top No. 4 seed.

3. Valparaiso Will Stifle Maryland In The Second Half

Valparaiso Crusaders NCAA Tournament second round loose balls

3. Valparaiso Will Stifle Maryland In The Second Half

Valparaiso Crusaders NCAA Tournament second round loose balls — Valpo will regroup at halftime and show Maryland an entirely different look in the final 20 minutes. Watch as Maryland will get tight and the Crusaders' defense will begin to clamp down. The Terrapins’ fast start will be slowed to a turtle’s pace in the second half.

2. The Crusaders Will Out-Rebound Maryland

Valparaiso Crusaders rebounding NCAA Tournament second round

2. The Crusaders Will Out-Rebound Maryland

Valparaiso Crusaders rebounding NCAA Tournament second round — Alec Peters and Vashil Fernandez will be ripping down rebounds like low-hanging fruit for Valparaiso throughout this game. Maryland will have to rely on clutch shooting, as the Terrapins may not see many second-chance opportunities on the offensive end.

1. Maryland Will Roll To A Decisive Victory

Maryland Terrapins Jake Layman NCAA Tournament Relax

1. Maryland Will Roll To A Decisive Victory

Maryland Terrapins Jake Layman NCAA Tournament Relax — Expect Valparaiso to slow Maryland down, but not completely stop the Terps. The last two minutes on the scoreboard will take 20 in real time, but Maryland will have this game in hand and may prevail by a 10-point margin.

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Maryland Terrapins

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