We’re now into the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament in men’s college basketball. Thursday night features four more March Madness matchups as we get closer to crowning a national champion. Let’s focus on one of those Sweet 16 games with our Maryland vs. Florida predictions below. 

No. 1 seed Florida takes on No. 4 seed Maryland in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament West region bracket. It’s time to break down the top stats, players, storylines, and betting odds to know before the game gets underway on Thursday. Check out our Maryland vs. Florida predictions and picks. 

 

 

 

Maryland vs. Florida Predictions for March Madness Sweet 16, 3/27

Thursday’s March Madness Sweet 16 game between Florida and Maryland is an intriguing matchup. On the one hand, the No. 1 seed Gators are one of the best teams in the country as their national title quest continues. Meanwhile, the No. 4 seed Terrapins are a darkhorse Final Four contender that can bust brackets. 

It sets up to be an entertaining battle between two storied programs. Let’s now get into the top Maryland vs. Florida predictions for tonight’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 showdown. 

 

 

 

Maryland Terrapins: Fresh Off Buzzer-Beater Victory

Survive and advance. It’s the name of the game in March Madness. Maryland did just that in its Round of 32 win over Colorado State thanks to a Derik Queen buzzer-beater. 

Maryland trailed by double digits in the first half against No. 12 seed Colorado State last Sunday. The Terps were even losing with three seconds remaining but had enough time for one final shot to win it. Enter freshman stud Derik Queen, who banked in the buzzer-beater to send Maryland into the Sweet 16. 

The Terrapins have been flying under the radar all season. Despite the narrow win in the Round of 32, this team is for real. They rank 10th in both the NET Rankings and at KenPom as the best No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Maryland boasts a top-10 defense and a top-25 offense in the sport as well. 

The Terps boast one of the best starting lineups in college hoops. Queen is the headliner as a projected NBA Draft lottery pick. Yet, senior center Julian Reese and transfer guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie are both reliable playmakers for the “Crab Five” as well. Even starting guards Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel are double-digit scorers too. 

 

 

 

Florida Gators: National Title Quest Continues

Florida entered this NCAA Tournament with the second-shortest odds to win the national championship, only behind Duke. The Gators looked poised to reach the Final Four and challenge the Blue Devils for the title. 

“Survive and advance” was a theme for Florida in its Round of 32 victory as well. The Gators were pushed by No. 8 seed UConn but ultimately outlasted the back-to-back defending champs, 77-75. It’s the first time that Florida has looked vulnerable in a while. However, it’s also the type of result that can propel a team after coming out victorious despite not playing its best. 

The Gators boast arguably the best offense in the sport. They rank second nationally in offensive efficiency and average 85.4 PPG (third). Florida leans on its elite three-headed backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin. The frontcourt also has a ton of size and talent, led by sophomore Alex Condon. 

Florida also has a top-10 defense in the country. It’s one of the most balanced teams and a 32-4 record is evidence of the dominance. The Gators proved their top-tier status with an SEC Tournament title earlier this month. 

 

 

 

How To Watch The Sweet 16 of March Madness 2025

Thursday’s March Madness Sweet 16 game between Maryland and Florida is scheduled to tip off at 7:39 pm ET. You can watch it on TBS or stream it on the March Madness Live app. 

The Maryland vs. Florida matchup is one of four NCAA Tournament games on Thursday. Here’s the upcoming schedule with TV listings for tonight’s Sweet 16 action: 

  • 7:09 pm ET – No. 6 BYU vs. No. 2 Alabama – CBS
  • 7:39 pm ET – No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 1 Florida – TBS
  • 9:39 pm ET – No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 1 Duke – CBS
  • 10:09 pm ET – No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Texas Tech – TBS

Let’s now dive into Maryland vs. Florida picks, odds, and predictions. 

 

 

 

Maryland vs. Florida Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Before we get to our Maryland vs. Florida predictions, check out the betting lines on FanDuel Sportsbook. As of this writing, here are the Maryland vs. Florida odds for tonight’s Sweet 16 March Madness showdown: 

  • Maryland Terrapins (+220) vs. Florida Gators (-275)
    • Spread: Maryland +6.5 (-110) vs. Florida -6.5 (-110)
    • Game Total: Over 156.5 (-115) vs. Under 156.5 (-105)

 

 

 

Maryland vs. Florida Picks: Over 156.5 Total Points (-115 on FanDuel)

This Sweet 16 matchup between Maryland and Florida projects to be a higher-scoring game. The game total has even risen a few points since the odds first opened. Let’s lean into that line movement by grabbing the Over 156.5 Total Points (-115 on FanDuel) for our Maryland vs. Florida predictions. 

Florida’s elite offense can set the tone for a potential shootout here. The Gators rank second in the country in offensive efficiency, per KenPom, while averaging 85.4 PPG (third). They also prefer to play fast (42nd in offensive tempo). In turn, the over has hit in nine straight Florida games coming into today. 

The Gators are averaging 91.9 PPG during their current eight-game winning streak as well. The offense is bound to get back on track after UConn held it to “only” 77 points last game. That’s a rare occurrence, though. Florida has scored fewer than 80 points only seven times in 36 games this season. Expect a bounceback offensive performance. 

Though Maryland ranks sixth nationally in defensive efficiency this year, it’s yet to face an offense as elite as Florida’s. The Terrapins have played just one top-10 offense (per KenPom) – and they gave up 83 points to Purdue. The competition also ramps up notably for the Terps, who played mid-major opponents in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. 

Maryland’s thin bench, especially in the frontcourt, matters more defensively against a Gators team with multiple talented bigs who can score inside and draw fouls. It puts more pressure on Julian Reese and Derik Queen to stay out of foul trouble defensively. As a result, the Terps may opt to concede some easy buckets in the paint at times. 

On the other end, Maryland can score its fair share of points as well. It ranks 22nd nationally in offensive efficiency and 34th in offensive pace. The Terps prefer to play fast when they have the ball and can beat defenses in multiple ways. All five starters are averaging double figures and each of the “Crab Five” unit can step up as a lead scorer.  

Meanwhile, Florida’s defense has shown some cracks lately. Besides the first-round blowout win vs. Norfolk State, the Gators are allowing 80 PPG over their six other previous games. They haven’t shied away from back-and-forth shootouts and will want to speed this game up to score in transition. 

 

 

 

Maryland vs. Florida Injury Report & Starting Lineups

Maryland Terrapins Injury Report

  • None

Maryland Terrapins Expected Starters

  • Derik Queen (F) – 16.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG
  • Ja’Kobi Gillespie (G) – 14.6 PPG, 5.0 APG
  • Rodney Rice (G) – 13.9 PPG, 2.1 APG
  • Julian Reese (F) – 13.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG
  • Selton Miquel (G) – 12.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG

Florida Gators Injury Report

  • Sam Alexis (F) – Questionable 

Florida Gators Expected Starters

  • Walter Clayton Jr. (G) – 17.9 PPG, 4.2 APG
  • Alijah Martin (G) – 14.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG
  • Will Richard (G) – 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG
  • Alex Condon (F) – 11.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG
  • Rueben Chinyelu (F) – 6.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG

 

 

 

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