The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) tussle with the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-3, 1-1) Sunday. Tip from Bryce Jordan Center is at 5:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Iowa vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Iowa is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation (81.2 points per game, 28th) and is 2nd in the Big Ten behind only Ohio State. However, defense is an issue, and Iowa must find a way to slow the Nittany Lions’ offense if it hopes to gain its 1st conference victory.
Penn State — while not as prolific as Iowa — still puts up 75.5 points per game. Leading scorer G Jalen Pickett (16.4 points per game) will look to take advantage of the soft Hawkeyes defense.
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Iowa 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 9:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Penn State -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa +2.5 (-115) | Penn State -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Iowa at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 80, Iowa 75
Moneyline
PASS.
Penn State (-135) is a fine play as part of a parlay, but with such a small spread you can get more value there than by making a straight play. The odds of Iowa covering and not winning are not good.
Against the spread
BET PENN STATE -2.5 (-105).
Penn State will use its homecourt advantage to the fullest Sunday. Iowa started off the season as a ranked team, but after a series of losses finds it at 8-5 and trailing the surprising 10-3 Penn State. This game will only solidify the Nittany Lions’ place over the Hawkeyes for this season as the Lions pull out a victory here.
Over/Under
BET OVER 147.5 (-110).
Iowa and Penn State are averaging a combined 156.6 points per game. While this game may not get to that number, 147.5 is a bit low on what can be expected.
Both Iowa and Penn State can pick up the pace and this will be a back-and-forth game in the normally slow Big Ten. These are 2 of the fastest teams in the country and the game will play this way. OVER 147.5 (-110) is my favorite play in this one.
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