The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten) take their elite defense on the road to slow down the Penn State Nittany Lions (17-11, 8-9) Sunday. Tip at Bryce Jordan Center is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rutgers vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Nittany Lions G Jalen Pickett poured in 23 points in their 75-71 win at Ohio State as 3-point underdogs Thursday and has now totaled 96 points in his last 3 outings. He will have a hard time continuing his hot streak as Rutgers has the nation’s 8th-ranked scoring defense (59.8 points allowed per game) and held Penn State to 45 points when they met on Jan. 24.
Penn State ranks 8th in the nation in 3-point shooting (39.2%) and will be forced to count on these shots to have a chance to win. However, the Nittany Lions rank 351st with just 5.64 offensive rebounds per game, so second-chance points are not going to be a major part of their game, and missed shots will mean missed opportunities.
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Rutgers at Penn State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Penn State -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +3.5 (-115) | Penn State -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rutgers at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 75, Rutgers 65
Moneyline
PASS.
The Nittany Lions (-155) are a different beast entirely and this is a decent price. Penn State will make its shots and win by margin at Bryce Jordan Center, so save the juice and take the points.
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Against the spread
PENN STATE -3.5 (-105).
Rutgers has struggled ATS of late. The Scarlet Knights are 0-4-1 in their last 5 games overall and are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road against a team with a winning home record.
Penn State, which struggles to make shots on the road, can light up the scoreboard at home. It relies heavily on the 3-point shot and Pickett has put Penn State on his back in the past 3 outings.
With 96 points in the past 3 games, including 41 against Illinois in a 93-81 win, Pickett is doing everything he can to drag Penn State forward. After scoring 23 on Thursday against Ohio State, Pickett will lead Penn state to another win.
Over/Under
OVER 132.5 (-110).
Penn State has gone Over in its last 5 games and hit the Over in its last 5 home games against a team with a losing road record on the season.
Penn State is an entirely different team at home. While it only scored 45 points in Piscataway on January 24, the Lions have gone Over the total in 7 straight home games at Bryce Jordan.
Using its 3-point shooting prowess, Penn State will be able to overcome the stifling defense Rutgers is normally able to employ in games. The Over 132.5 is the side to take and it is good up to 135.
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