Penn State Nittany Lions vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Rutgers vs Penn State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in University Park.

Rutgers vs Penn State Prediction

The Scarlet Knights and Nittany Lions are set to face off at 6:30 ET on PEAC. The Nittany Lions will host the game at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 157.5 points, and Penn State is favored by -6.5 to win at home against Rutgers.

Rutgers vs. Penn State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany Lions
Where: University Park at Bryce Jordan Center
Date: Monday, January 20th
Betting Odds PENNST -6.5, RUTGER +218 | PENNST -273 O/U 157.5

Scarlet Knights Preview: Do the Scarlet Knights Have a Shot at a Win at University Park?

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games

Rutgers improved to 10-8 on the season with an 85-82 win over Nebraska on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights were +8.5 point underdogs going into the game and covered the spread with the win.

Rutgers led 40-37 at halftime and both teams scored 45 points in the 2nd half. The game’s total points reached 167, surpassing the O/U line of 146.5.

Scarlet Knights Offense Breakdown

Rutgers put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 49.3% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc, with an effective field goal percentage of 58.2%. They also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists, though they struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 50% of their attempts.

Ace Bailey led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 4-of-7 from three. Brice Williams and Dylan Harper each added 21 points, with Harper contributing 4 assists. Juwan Gary chipped in 20 points, while Dylan Grant was nearly perfect from the field, hitting 7-of-8 shots.

Scarlet Knights Team Defense

Rutgers gave up 82 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 45% from the field, hitting 28 of 62 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 19 two-point baskets on 40 attempts, a 47% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Rutgers' defense conceded 9 threes on 22 attempts, a 40% success rate. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 27 times, where they made 17, shooting 63%. Rutgers allowed 19 offensive rebounds as well.

Nittany Lions Preview: Is A Home Victory Likely for Favored Penn State?

Penn State Nittany Lions Recent Game/Games

Penn State dropped to 12-6 on the season after a 90-85 road loss to Michigan State on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions entered the game as +11.5 point underdogs but managed to keep things closer than expected.

After trailing 46-36 at halftime, Penn State put up 49 points in the second half while allowing 44. The game’s total points of 175 went over the pre-game line of 151.5.

Nittany Lions Offense Breakdown

Penn State put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 52.8% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 62.3%. They connected on 62.1% of their two-point attempts and 41.7% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes overall. At the free-throw line, they shot 76%, making 19 of 25 attempts.

Ace Baldwin Jr. dished out 9 assists and added 20 points, while D'Marco Dunn and Frankie Fidler each contributed 18 points. Dunn hit 4 threes, shooting 57.1% from deep, and Zach Hicks also knocked down 4 threes, finishing with 14 points and 57.1% shooting from long range.

Nittany Lions Team Defense

Despite Penn State's defensive struggles, they allowed 90 points on 47% shooting from the field. The Nittany Lions gave up 57% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 26 of 45 shots.

From beyond the arc, Penn State held their opponent to 26% shooting, with just 6 made threes on 23 attempts. However, they sent the other team to the line 24 times, where they converted 20 free throws, shooting 83%. Penn State also allowed 15 offensive rebounds.

Scarlet Knights vs Nittany Lions Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last three games away from home, the Scarlet Knights have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 75 points per game in this stretch.
When looking at their past ten home matchups, Penn State has an ATS record of 3-5-2 while averaging 70 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
Rutgers has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Nittany Lions have an overall record of 2-1 while going 0-3 against the spread.