Maryland

Maryland vs. Florida Prediction, Odds, Key Players to Watch for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Published

10 months ago

March 26, 2025

Maryland vs. Florida Prediction, Odds, Key Players to Watch for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

No. 4 seed Maryland gave us the highlight of the first weekend of the 2025 NCAA Tournament as freshman sensation Derik Queen hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to beat No. 12 seed Colorado State in the second round.

The Terrapins are into the second weekend of the tournament, primed to face No. 1 seed Florida, who got a scare in the second round as well against No. 8 seed UConn on Sunday afternoon. Both teams avoided letdowns, and now meet in what should be an entertaining affair on Thursday night.

Who has the edge between these two? Here’s our betting preview.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 154.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Maryland

Derik Queen: The freshman hit the aforementioned buzzer-beater, which capped an incredible first weekend of the tournament. He combined to score 29 points and grab 21 rebounds with four assists and two blocks in the two victories. He will face a formidable opponent in Florida, who has plenty of size to challenge him, but can he continue to shine?

Florida

Walter Clayton: The Gators needed all of the First Team All-American’s firepower on Sunday, finishing the game with 23 points and five three-point shots to hold off UConn in a barnburner. The guard started slow but finished with a bevy of clutch shots to send the Gators to the Sweet 16.

This game will be among the most entertaining of the Sweet 16, and I’m going to side with the underdog Terrapins to cover the spread.

Maryland doesn’t run a deep bench, but its starting five can go toe-to-toe with the No. 1 seed in the West Region as the group has the size to challenge Florida on the glass and around the rim while also having the shooting to keep up from the perimeter.

The Terps are not as reliant on the three-point shot but are shooting better than the highly touted Gators from deep, hitting 37% of its shots from distance compared to the Gators 35%. Further, the Florida defense doesn’t pressure the ball as much as the Terps’ relentless defense does. The Terps are top 50 in turnover percentage on defense against the Gators, who are below the national average at 192nd.

Can Maryland win the shot volume battle? While Florida is known for its imposing size and rebounding prowess, the team is eighth in rebounding percentage, but Maryland is 74th and makes up for it by turning over opponents at a far higher clip.

I think this game is far closer than the number indicates with Maryland’s ability to match Florida in key categories like shot volume, shot efficiency and overall talent.

Now, Florida will be the best team Maryland has faced this season, but the team hasn’t lost a game by more than six points this season, and I believe the group is talented enough to hang.

Take the Terps to cover.

PICK: Maryland +6.5 (-105, Available at FanDuel Sportsbook)

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Maryland

Arrest made after $40K worth of HVAC units stolen in Maryland, over 10 businesses impacted

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Arrest made after K worth of HVAC units stolen in Maryland, over 10 businesses impacted

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A Maryland man has been arrested in connection with a string of thefts targeting heating and air conditioning units that impacted more than 10 businesses across the region, authorities said.

On Dec. 31, 2025, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside investigators from the Prince George’s County Police Department, took Thomas Guinyard, 30, of Hyattsville, into custody.

Charles County deputies said Guinyard has several active arrest warrants tied to the theft of heat pumps and air conditioning units valued at more than $40,000.

Authorities said the thefts caused widespread disruption to local businesses, with investigators confirming that more than 10 were affected.

SEE ALSO | Man accused of stealing circuit breakers from nearly 50 Maryland homes

When deputies tried to approach him, Guinyard allegedly ran away but was apprehended without further incident, according to the sheriff’s office. During the arrest, deputies said they learned the vehicle Guinyard was driving had been reported stolen.

Guinyard faces a charge of theft and destruction of property. He is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.

Investigators continue to review the case to figure out whether more charges or related thefts may be connected to Guinyard, the sheriff’s office said.

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Maryland

Md. Gov. Moore touts public safety funding increase, even with crime continuing to drop – WTOP News

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Md. Gov. Moore touts public safety funding increase, even with crime continuing to drop – WTOP News

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore noted the continuing decrease in crime across the state and shared a proposal to spend $124.1 million on public safety in the next fiscal year budget.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks alongside Prince George’s County
Executive Aisha Braveboy and Police Chief George Nader(WTOP/John Domen)

Maryland lawmakers return to Annapolis next week, and plugging a roughly $1 billion budget hole will be one of many items on their agenda as the 2026 session gets underway.

This week, Gov. Wes Moore has been touting parts of the budget he’ll be unveiling, to go with legislation he intends to champion in Annapolis.

On Thursday, he stood in front of a huge gathering of police, federal law enforcement and prosecutors at the Maryland State Police Barracks in College Park to talk about the continuing decrease in crime and share a proposal to spend $124.1 million on public safety in the next budget.

“That is the highest level of funding in our state’s history, and a $2.3 million increase over last year’s budget,” Moore said. “These are real resources for local police departments all throughout the state of Maryland.”

He said the funding will support overtime patrolling and new equipment that “officers need to make sure they are doing their job safely and that they can get home to their families.”

Moore also took issue with the premise, often posed to Democrats, that you have to choose between siding with law enforcement or siding with “the community,” arguing that he does both “unapologetically.” He also promised that his plan for public safety is both urgent and strategic.

“This is backed by data and built on three core pillars,” Moore said. “Provide the resources and the support that law enforcement needs; build stronger, more vibrant communities that leave no one behind; and coordinate all aspects of government and community to make sure that our streets are safer.”

As he enters the final year of his term, Moore highlighted a 25% reduction in homicides around the state, to a number he said is the lowest in 40 years. He also touted a 50% violent crime reduction and a sharp drop in non-fatal shootings.

“This is not trends or vibes. It happens because we made smart investments, and it happened because we chose to do something really unique — work together,” Moore said. “We are standing here coordinated, bipartisan, nonpartisan, knowing that community safety does not have a partisan bend and protecting our neighbors does not have a political affiliation.”

At the same time, Moore said he wasn’t taking a victory lap about the heartening trends in crime just yet.

“We are making progress, yes, but we will not rest until everybody and all of our communities feel safe,” he said. “Too often, false choices will dominate the public safety debate. Do we want to hold criminals accountable, or do we want to focus on rehabilitation? We’re told to pick a side without understanding that’s not how people live.”

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