With January approaching its end, that leaves about one month until the end of the NCAA women’s basketball regular season.
While there’s seemingly not much basketball left, the remaining games are all big and could be difference-makers when it comes to postseason seeding. That includes Thursday’s action-packed slate highlighted by two Big Ten matchups between Michigan and Maryland and Indiana and Ohio State.
The “We Back Pat” game on Thursday night, which brings recognition to the Pat Summitt Foundation, features a matchup between Tennessee and UConn will also stand out,
Here’s a look a quick look at the three games and how to bet on them.
All odds via BetMGM
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 6 Indiana
Ohio State suffered its first loss of the season on Monday when Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes went into Colombus and upset the Buckeyes. But even that defeat shouldn’t take away from the hype that will be OSU-Indiana on Thursday.
The No. 6 Hoosiers also have only one loss on the season, and with Grace Berger back and playing well after two months of injury rehab, Indiana could be a legitimate Final Four squad. But before looking too far ahead, IU will have to get through a wild Big Ten where the Hoosiers sit tied atop the standings with Iowa and Ohio State. So, it goes without saying how entertaining and important tonight’s game will be.
Pick: Indiana ML
The Buckeyes picked the wrong time to lose its first game because having to go into Assembly Hall without momentum seems bad. Indiana is undefeated at home and probably has the better roster on paper. I like the Hoosiers to take care of business on Thursday.
No. 5 UConn at Tennessee
No Azzi Fudd, no Paige Bueckers — no worries. UConn still ranks in the AP’s Top 5 despite dealing with so many injuries this season. The Huskies haven’t lost a game since December 11 but on Thursday, they might face their stiffest competition over that stretch.
On paper, that may not be the case. Tennessee has six losses already and doesn’t have a number next to its name. But don’t let that fool you. All of the Preseason No. 5 Vols’ losses have come to currently ranked teams. Even then, Tennessee’s most recent loss dates all the way back to December.
Pick: UConn ML
It’s hard to know what to expect from this game given UConn’s significant injuries and Tennessee’s inability to beat ranked teams. But I trust what the Huskies have shown me this season a bit more than anything the Vols have done. Bet on UConn picking up a road win on Thursday.
No. 13 Michigan at No. 10 Maryland
After Michigan’s 9-0 start to the season, the Wolverines are 7-4 over since. That’s not bad, but it’s a decent drop from where they stood even weeks ago. Still, Kim Barnes Arico is doing an outstanding job in what was supposed to be a mediocre season following Naz Hillmon’s departure to the WNBA.
Speaking of WNBA, we’ll likely see Maryland’s Diamond Miller in the league this calendar year. She’s got all the tools to be a top draft pick, which she displays on a nightly basis in leading the No. 10 Terapins. Maryland and Michigan are both still in contention for a conference championship but probably can’t afford to lose much more, especially Michigan. We should get a spirited effort from both when they take the court tonight.
Pick: Maryland (-3.5)
Repeatedly, Maryland has shown up in big games and delivered. Why wouldn’t they do the same against Michigan?
