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Maryland vs. Xavier prediction and game preview, as the No. 6 Terrapins and No. 11 Musketeers face off in the NCAA Tournament.

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Mark Turgeon’s Terrapins and Chris Mack’s Musketeers match up in a 6-11 game that should be a close one from start to finish. Star Terp Melo Trimble is a player that the nation will get to witness on a national stage, while star Musketeer Trevon Bluiett will look to put Xavier on his back. Turgeon took his team to the Sweet Sixteen last year, while Mack has only missed one Big Dance during his Xavier stint.

Maryland vs. Xavier Game Preview

Date: March 16
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Region: West

Maryland Strengths

The Terps have plenty of weapons around Trimble, including the freshman trio of Justin Jackson, Anthony Cowan and Kevin Huerter. Trimble is the focal point of everything coach Mark Turgeon does and can take over a game at a moment’s notice.

Maryland Weaknesses

For all their talent, the Terps are wildly inconsistent. Trimble can go cold just as quickly as he can heat up, and the same goes for Cowan. Maryland lost four of six toward the end of the season and took itself out of the Big Ten title chase.

Maryland Terrapins In-Depth Analysis

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Xavier Strengths

Bluiett is the reason the Musketeers are in the NCAA Tournament. He sat out twice during a six-game losing streak toward the end of the regular season and left early in another because of a sprained ankle that’s still causing him pain. But the junior guard is a scoring machine who can help Xavier pull off a couple upsets.

Xavier Weaknesses

Edmond Sumner suffered a season-ending injury Jan. 29, and it’s part of the reason the Musketeers struggled down the stretch. They’ll need to find a way to get through it and not rely so heavily on Bluiett.

Xavier Musketeers In-Depth Analysis

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Maryland vs. Xavier By The Numbers

Maryland Statistics

Scoring Margin: 6.8 (63rd nationally)
Rebounding Margin: 1.0 (153)
Turnover Margin: -.5 (210)
3-Point FG Percentage: 36.3% (122)

Xavier Statistics

Scoring Margin: 3.2 (136)
Rebounding Margin: 7.0 (18)
Turnover Margin: -.5 (212)
3-Point FG Percentage: 34.1% (224)

Maryland vs. Xavier Prediction

The Terrapins have Trimble, who will prove to be the best player on the court and a player who can carry a team far in The Dance. This has been an inconsistent Terps team, but Trimble’s play will prove to be the difference.

Maryland vs. Xavier Score Prediction: Maryland 68, Xavier 64

MORE: Complete NCAA Tournament Bracket, Previews, Predictions