Virginia enters this Week 2 regular-season game at XFINITY Center with an unblemished record while Maryland seeks to build on its home win. The national broadcast on Peacock will showcase two teams that opened the season with different results, setting up an early test of form and efficiency.
Our lean
Spread
Virginia -6.5 (-105)
DraftKings via ESPN · line at publication, Nov 13, 12:00 PM ET
Break-even at -105: 51.2% · Market, vig removed: Virginia -6.5 48.9% · Virginia to win 68.5%
Virginia's four straight wins and defensive allowance of 66.3 points per game align with the spread line favoring the visitors. Maryland's most recent loss and lower assist production indicate difficulty matching that defensive and playmaking level on Friday.
Virginia outlook
Virginia has won its first four games, most recently defeating Bucknell Bison 95-61, then Arkansas Razorbacks 91-72, Northeastern Huskies 97-72 and Drexel Dragons 89-60. Those results align with season averages of 93.0 points scored and 66.3 allowed, along with 50% field-goal shooting and 22.8 assists per game.
Thijs De Ridder leads Virginia with 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Chance Mallory averages 5.0 assists. The team is coming off two days of rest after its most recent outing and has combined to exceed 152.5 in three of its last four games.
These offensive and defensive figures suggest Virginia can maintain high scoring and limit opponents when facing Maryland's lower assist total and weaker three-point percentage.
Maryland outlook
Maryland stands at 1-1 after a 96-67 win over Bucknell Bison followed by an 86-74 loss at Georgetown Hoyas. Its season marks include 85.0 points scored and 76.5 allowed with 44% field-goal shooting and 10.0 assists per game.
Pharrel Payne leads with 20.5 points, Tomislav Buljan averages 8.5 rebounds and DJ Wagner posts 3.0 assists. The team enters with five days of rest after its latest result and holds a 45.5 rebound average.
Maryland's lower assist rate and three-point percentage point to challenges generating offense against a Virginia defense that has held recent opponents well below its own scoring average.
Key matchup
Virginia's 50% field-goal shooting and 36% three-point shooting stand out against Maryland's 44% and 21% marks. Virginia's 22.8 assists per game also contrast with Maryland's 10.0, suggesting the visitors' ball movement and perimeter efficiency could control the pace at XFINITY Center.
Written with AI assistance from ESPN data and checked by a separate automated fact-check against that data. Lines as of Nov 13, 12:00 PM ET from DraftKings; they move — confirm the price before you bet. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. How we write previews
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