Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany Lions Odds & Pick

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany Lions Odds & Pick

Darin Zank
Date: February 26, 6:30 pm
Location: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: BTN

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Rut +2.5/PenSt -2.5
Total: 132.5

<p>A couple of Big 10 bubble teams hook up when Penn State hosts Rutgers Sunday evening in University Park. Both teams are 17-11 overall, harboring hopes of making the NCAA tournament. But they’re headed in different directions as of late; the Lions have won three games in a row while the Scarlet Knights have lost four of their last five.</p>
<p>How are we playing this game with our free college basketball betting pick?</p>
<h2>College Basketball Betting Odds </h2>
<p>Sunday’s CBB betting lines opened Penn State at -2.5 over Rutgers, with an over/under of right around 132.5. Both figures were holding steady in the early betting action.</p>
<p>According to Sagarin’s CBB ratings at USAToday.com the Nittany Lions should only be favored by one point for this match-up.</p>
<h2>Rutgers Betting Preview </h2>
<p>The Scarlet Knights are just 1-4 SU, 0-4-1 ATS their last five times out after losing at home to Michigan Thursday night 58-45. Rutgers, favored by six points, popped out to a 13-3 lead on the Wolverines but went cold and trailed 26-23 at the half. The Knights then got within 40-38 midway through the second half but faded from there and lost.</p>
<p>Rutgers shot just 38 percent from the floor Thursday, hit just 5/16 from the free-throw line and lost the turnover battle 13-10.</p>
<p>Two games ago the Knights won at Wisconsin 58-57. But prior to that Rutgers lost three straight.</p>
<p>At 9-8 in play Rutgers still holds an outside shot at claiming a top-four seed for the upcoming Big 10 tournament, which earns one a double-bye. And at 17-11 overall the Knights would probably make the NCAA tournament if the field were announced today.</p>
<h2>Penn State Betting Preview </h2>
<p>Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions ride a three-game winning streak into Sunday after winning at Ohio State Thursday night 75-71. Neither team ever led that game by more than six points. The score was tied at 37 at the half and Penn State later trailed by a point with six minutes left. But the Lions outscored the Buckeyes 11-6 from there for the outright victory as three-point dogs.</p>
<p>Penn State shot a hot 52 percent from the field Thursday and hit 10/19 from 3-point land.</p>
<p>Two games ago the Lions won at Minnesota 76-69; three games ago they beat Illinois 93-81.</p>
<p>At 17-11 overall, 8-9 in Big 10 play, Penn State sits on the Big Dance bubble. A couple more wins would really help but a couple losses might really hurt.</p>
<h2>Rutgers-Penn State Recent History</h2>
<p>These teams have split their last 10 meetings SU, with the Knights playing 5-4-1 ATS. One month ago Rutgers took the first meeting between these teams this season 65-45. That game was close until midway through the second half, when the Knights pulled away for the W and the money at -7.</p>
<p>Also, that game played way under a total of 127, as the teams combined to shoot just 39 percent from the field.<br />
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<span style="font-size:16px; color:#008000;">Get more details:</span> <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/matchup/1758601">Rutgers at Penn State 2/26/23 Betting Stats</a>
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<h2>Totals Report </h2>
<ul>
<li>The Unders are 17-11 in Rutgers games this season, which are averaging 129 total points.</li>
<li>The Overs are 17-11 in Penn State games this season, which are averaging 142 points.</li>
<li>The Unders are 9-0 over the last nine meetings between these teams.</li>
</ul>

Rutgers at Pennt State prediction ATS 2/26/23

Penn State owns a three-game winning streak while Rutgers is 1-4 its last five times out. And usually momentum means a lot to us when handicapping basketball games. However, our belief here is the Knights are better than that, while the Lions recently took advantage of playing the Big 10’s two worst teams. Also, Rutgers is  one of the best defensive teams in the country and does a better job on the boards. We like the Scarlet Knights to bounce back Sunday and win this game outright.

 

Free Pick: Take Rutgers -2.5
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