
Iowa vs Penn State Prediction 1/24/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Penn State (13-6) vs. Iowa (12-7)
January 24, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Iowa -2.5; Over/Under: 168.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate an Iowa vs Penn State prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, January 24th at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes are 12-7 (3-5) this season after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 72-67 in their last game. Iowa trailed 32-28 at halftime and was outscored 40-39 in the second half in the loss. The Hawkeyes shot 45.9% from the field, 14.3% on three-pointers, and 66.7% on free throws in the game. Payton Sandfort led Iowa with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Owen Freeman added 21 points and eight rebounds in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Hawkeyes lost to UCLA by a score of 94-70 and USC by a score of 99-89. Iowa has lost three games in a row and they have dropped near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Iowa has scored 87.3 points per game and they have allowed 78.5 points per game, while also averaging 32.3 rebounds and 19.4 assists per game this season. Owen Freeman is averaging 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, while Payton Sandfort is averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this year. Iowa is shooting 50.5% from the field, 69.1% on free throws, and 38.7% on three-pointers this season.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 13-6 (3-5) this year after they defeated Rutgers by a score of 80-72 in their last game. Penn State led 37-35 at halftime and they scored 43 points in the second half in the win. The Nittany Lions shot 49% from the field, 47.6% on three-pointers, and 81.5% on free throws in the game. Ace Baldwin Jr. led Penn State with 22 points and eight assists, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 18 points and six rebounds in the game.
Prior to that victory, the Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State by a score of 90-85 and Oregon by a score of 82-81. Penn State has lost four of their last five games and they are tied with Iowa and a few other teams with a 3-5 conference record. Penn State has scored 84.2 points per game and they have allowed 71.7 points per game, while also averaging 35.3 rebounds and 17.2 assists per game this season. Ace Baldwin Jr. is averaging 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, while Nick Kern Jr. is averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this year. Penn State is shooting 48.8% from the field, 76% on free throws, and 34.7% on three-pointers this season. After this game, Penn State will head on the road for a matchup with Michigan,
Why Iowa will beat Penn State
- The home team has won each of the last eight games between Penn State and Iowa.
- Penn State has lost each of its last four games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
- Iowa has won the first half in 19 of its last 22 night games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why Penn State will beat Iowa
- Penn State has won seven of its last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Iowa has lost four of its last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Iowa has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against the Big Ten Conference.
Iowa vs Penn State Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup with 3-5 conference records, so this is a huge game for each side to get back on track. Iowa has lost three games in a row and while they are shooting over 50% from the field and scoring 87.3 points per game, they have only scored 67 and 70 points in their last two games. Penn State did snap their losing streak with a win over Rutgers in their last game, but they have allowed 90 and 91 points in their last two road games. The Iowa defense is one of the worst in the country and I think each team will get the offense going, so take the over here.