A nine-game home winning streak is on the line for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-4, 1-3 Big 10) when they square off with the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-8, 0-4 Big 10) at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 10, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Cornhuskers won big over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 106-37, while the Nittany Lions defeated the North Florida Ospreys 87-72.
The Nittany Lions had a much better free throw rate (0.439 vs. 0.203) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.544 vs. 0.461). Nebraska, on the other hand, played a perfect game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.659 and a turnover percentage of 12.1. For those same stats, Mississippi Valley State recorded marks of 0.199 and 20.2, respectively. Nebraska’s James Palmer Jr. had a solid performance, recording 17 points and five assists. Penn State, meanwhile, was lifted by Lamar Stevens, who put up 22 points and 10 rebounds.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the most recent game, the Cornhuskers won 76-64. The Cornhuskers’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Nittany Lions. Nebraska had a rate of 43.8, while Penn State posted a mark of 24.4. This will be the first game of the year between these two teams.
Stevens has been excellent as of late for Penn State, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the country’s slowest-paced teams clash. Nebraska ranks 266th in possessions per game (68.4) and Penn State is 263rd (68.4). Moreover, the 283rd-ranked offense of the Nittany Lions (offensive efficiency of 99.6) will clash against the 10th-ranked defense of the Cornhuskers (defensive efficiency of 88.9).
Penn State at Nebraska Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Penn State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Nebraska ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while Penn State ranks 128th (7.0).
- The Nittany Lions average 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 126th in the country. The Cornhuskers rank 149th in rebounds allowed per game (35.7).
- Nebraska ranks ninth in three pointers allowed per game (17.5) while Penn State ranks 18th (18.1).
- The Cornhuskers rank 32nd in blocks per game (4.7) while the Nittany Lions rank 104th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
- Nebraska ranks seventh in assists allowed per game (9.3) while Penn State ranks 43rd (11.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Nittany Lions’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 1.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cornhuskers have scored an average of 82.0 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 52.2 points per game (9.1 below their season average).
