Kansas vs. Maryland prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Jayhawks and Terrapins.

How they got here

Kansas beat No. 16 Austin Peay in the first round 105-79, beat No. 9 Connecticut 73-61 in the second round; Maryland beat No. 12 South Dakota State 79-74 in first round, beat No. 13 Hawaii 73-60 in second round.

Why Kansas will win

The Jayhawks are tough because they can hurt teams in so many ways. Guards Frank Mason III, Wayne Selden Jr. and Deonte Graham all have the ability to take over games, and Selden, in particular, has been playing like a man possessed. He has been scoring and hitting the boards hard, and when he’s scoring in transition, the Jayhawks are special. Inside, senior Perry Ellis is a great scorer and rebounder, someone who can create mismatches when he is aggressive with the ball. He also has good range. When forward Landon Lucas is hitting the glass and protecting the rim, KU features the most balanced lineup in college basketball, and as long as Kansas avoids foul trouble on the perimeter, the Jayhawks will move on.

Why Maryland will win

The Terrapins are starting to hit their stride at just the right time, and this team can be dangerous, especially when guard Melo Trimble is productive. Trimble has been in a shooting slump pretty much all season, but he is starting to get to the line more and using his quickness to keep opponents on their heels. Trimble will be tough to contain, and fellow guard Rasheed Sulaimon is an experienced scorer who is willing to take the big shot. Maryland’s bigs is what sets them apart. Forwards Robert Carter and Jake Layman, and center Diamond Stone all bring different skillsets to the floor. Stone is a quality post scorer, Carter can get to the rim and is a solid rebounder, and Layman is a stretch-4 who can hit the glass. The key for the Terps will be to play as a team. They did that in the second round vs. Hawaii, showcasing the kind of balance that can be tough to beat, and if Trimble is sharing the ball and Stone is productive, the Terps will have a shot.

Kansas vs. Maryland Prediction

Kansas is absolutely rolling, and the Jayhawks’ consistency will stand in contrast to Maryland’s uncertainty. On paper, the Terps are a good matchup for KU, but their chemistry has been shaky all year. Kansas plays better as a team, and it will be enough to push the Jayhawks to the Elite Eight.