West Virginia vs. Maryland

No. 9 seed West Virginia was last in the Big 12 in points surrendered (71 per game) and 3-point shooting defense (.341%), plus second-to-last in field goal shooting defense allowed (.448%). They head to Birmingham, Alabama, for this one and lost eight of 11 road games this season. West Virginia is 73-48 UNDER the First Half total after two or more straight games going UNDER. No. 8 seed Maryland has no such defensive concerns under first-year coach Kevin Willard, fourth in the Big 10 in points given up (63.2 ppg) and sixth at defending beyond the arc. The Terrapins went 5-2 against Big Ten teams that were ranked in the Top 25 and have won 14 of their last 15 opening-round tournament games. Maryland is also 27-13 UNDER the First Half Total after a defeat, including 15-4 UNDER the First Half Total after a double-digit loss. Look for the superior defensive team to win the game with a low-scoring first half. Play Maryland on the moneyline + the First Half UNDER the total.