As far as Maryland Terrapins futures bets go, the school’s men’s basketball team is about to face a hugely important stretch of games.
The University of Maryland has fallen to 9-9 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten following a current 1-5 skid. The lone victory during the stretch came in double OT to Northwestern (9-7), one of the conference’s fellow basement-dwellers.
However, all’s not lost for the struggling Terrapins. After all, this is NCAA Division I men’s basketball, where all 350 teams have a theoretical shot of winning it all.
But the current market at MD sportsbooks for Maryland Terrapins futures is collapsing. The odds of Maryland making it to March Madness, let alone winning it all, are quickly fading. It’d take a remarkable late-season turnaround to get the Terrapins off their backs and in the hunt.
But if you’re willing to take that gamble, a hefty payoff awaits.
Maryland Terrapins futures: +25000 at FanDuel
Maryland sports betting officially launched last month. That’s when the first Maryland casinos, including Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, began offering retail sports betting.
That in-person sports wagering is now live at five casinos. And for Marylanders, barring a trip to a neighboring state, it’s the only option for legal sports betting. After all, statewide online sports betting likely won’t be available until the start of the 2022 NFL season in the fall.
Live! Casino & Hotel offers a FanDuel Sportsbook experience on site. The sportsbook giant hopes to eventually take online bets in the Old Line State. But for now, you need to physically enter the casino and expansive sportsbook lounge to make a bet.
Thankfully, the casino has 10 staffed betting windows, as well as 51 self-service betting kiosks dispersed throughout the property.
Some Maryland bettors are undoubtedly interested in betting on the Terrapins. However, a recent rough patch has left the team in 13th place out of 14 Big Ten schools.
That’s why you can now get +25000 odds for Maryland Terrapins futures to win the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. In other words, if you bet $10 on the Terrapins to win it all and they claim a title, you’d net $2,500 in winnings.
It’s a major payout for a minimal investment. Of course, there are plenty of reasons for those long odds.
Can Terrapins salvage a spot in 2022 March Madness?
After a 5-1 start to the season, the Terrapins looked poised to meet or exceed expectations. During the preseason, Maryland was +4000 (40-1) to win a title, and the season wins total was set at 23. Despite a 17-14 record in 2020-21, the team made it to the Big Dance and advanced to the second round before a loss to Alabama.
However, those once-lofty expectations have returned to Earth.
Once with 40-1 odds to win a title, the Maryland Terrapins futures now have it as a 250-1 long shot.
Senior guard Eric Ayala, who led the team in scoring last year, is the top scorer again with 16.3 points per game. He’s also been the top scorer in eight of the past nine games.
He’ll need to remain hot if Maryland wants to right the ship. And their best opportunity comes on Friday night (7 p.m., FS1). That’s when the Terps host the No. 17-ranked University of Illinois (13-4, 6-1), who are also in first place in the Big Ten.
Then, after games against Rutgers (11-6, 5-2) and Indiana (14-4, 5-3), Maryland meets No. 14 Michigan State (14-3, 5-1) and No. 19 Iowa (13-5, 3-4).
This is a stretch of games against top-tier teams. If successful, Maryland could improve its seeding in the Big Ten tournament, and as a result, its chances of making the March Madness field of 68.
And if Maryland can win three or four in that stretch, expect those +25000 odds to tighten up quite a bit. So if you’re bullish on the team, now’s the time to place those Maryland Terrapins futures bets.
