UNLV vs. Maryland Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Nov. 24

My UNLV vs. Maryland prediction breaks down the late 11:59 p.m. ET tipoff from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (TNT), which is the final game of a loaded Player Era Festival slate on Monday.

Both UNLV and Maryland are beginning their first seasons under new head coaches (Josh Pastner and Buzz Williams, respectively). But I hold more confidence in the Terrapins’ early-season start, even if they're playing in a quasi-road environment in the Runnin’ Rebels’ home state.

These matchups are a part of Feast Week, and you can stay on top of all the hoops action this Thanksgiving with our college basketball Feast Week guide.

✅ UNLV vs. Maryland prediction & expert picks

See all of our experts' college basketball picks this week.

🏀 UNLV vs. Maryland preview & score prediction

UNLV has rebounded from a 1-2 start and losses against Tennessee Martin and Montana with consecutive impressive wins over Memphis and Saint Joseph’s. But I expect Maryland head coach Buzz Williams to have something up his sleeve to contain the Runnin’ Rebels’ lightning-fast top-15 pace.

Maryland boasts the best defense UNLV has faced this season

UNLV had averaged 91.8 points per game through four contests, which ranked second in the Mountain West and 42nd nationally, before improving upon those numbers with a 99-point output on Thursday. Despite the 99 points, UNLV played more isolation basketball than usual, as its 15 assists were lower than the team's 19.8 assists per game average entering the matchup.

UNLV’s high-octane offense will be met with great resistance by a Maryland defense that ranks the highest in adjusted defensive efficiency (53rd) of any of the Runnin’ Rebels’ opponents to this point.

Maryland is also one of the only teams in the country that gets to the free-throw line more than UNLV, as its 59.3% free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt is the third-highest in the country.

Under Buzz Williams last year, Texas A&M went 8-3 against the spread when at a rest advantage over its opponent, and covered 64.3% of its nonconference games. That makes laying the points with Maryland appealing, as does the fact that this spread is a full point higher at BetMGM at -2.5. 

Caesars is alone among the best sports betting sites while charging the standard -110 juice at 52.38% implied odds to lay the -1.5. A $10 wager would net $9.09 in profits if Maryland covers the spread.

Score prediction: Maryland 84, UNLV 80

🆚 UNLV vs. Maryland matchup to watch

Maryland offense vs. UNLV defense

I'm doubling down on my prediction of Maryland to win outright in a high-scoring game with a mini two-leg parlay that the Terrapins will be victorious and both teams will score 80-plus points.

Maryland is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents. And while UNLV’s last 23 games at a neutral venue have failed to top 160 points, I have confidence in the Terrapins’ 12th-ranked team free-throw percentage (81.6%) if UNLV starts fouling late while trailing.

Those who think Maryland will win without both teams scoring 80 points may prefer the +160 odds at bet365, but I'm opting for the larger payout.

Best prop bet: Maryland ML + both teams to score 80+ points (+300 via bet365)

📊 UNLV vs. Maryland odds

See live college basketball odds for every game.

📺 How to watch UNLV vs. Maryland

• Date: Monday, Nov. 24
• Tipoff: 11:59 p.m. ET
• Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas, Nev.)
• TV: TNT