Penn State Nittany Lions (9-11) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-9)
January 31, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights -7.5; Over/Under: 144.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Penn State Nittany Lions will play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten game on Wednesday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State has lost four of their last five games, while Rutgers has lost three of their last four. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Penn State vs Rutgers prediction.
Penn State Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 9-11 (3-6) this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 83-74 in their last game. Penn State led 45-31 at halftime, but they were out scored 52-29 in the second half for the loss. The Nittany Lions shot 45.2% from the field and were -5 in rebounding margin in the game. Penn State lost to Ohio State by a score of 79-67 in the game prior to Minnesota, but did beat Wisconsin before that. The Nittany Lions are scoring 76.3 points per game with 32.2 rebounds per game and 11.9 assists per game, while allowing 74.8 points against per game this year. Kanye Clary is averaging 18.4 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. Penn State is shooting 43.5% from the field, 73.9% on free throws, and 30.9% on three pointers this season.
Penn State Nittany Lions Team Facts
- Penn State has lost 18 of its last 19 away games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The home team has won the first half in eight of Penn State’s last nine games.
Rutgers Preview
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 10-9 (2-6) this season after they lost to Purdue by a score of 68-60 in their last game. Rutgers trailed 33-20 at the half, but they did out score Purdue 40-35 in the second half in the loss. The Scarlet Knights shot 37.5% from the field and forced 15 turnovers in the game. Rutgers lost to Illinois by a score of 86-63 in the game prior to Purdue, but did beat Nebraska by a score of 87-82 before that. The Scarlet Knights are scoring 67.9 points per game with 39 rebounds per game and 11.9 assists per game, while giving up 66.6 points against per game this season. Aundre Hyatt is averaging 12.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. Rutgers is shooting 38.9% from the field, 65.5% on free throws, and 29.4% on three pointers this year.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Team Facts
- Rutgers has won each of its last nine games at Jersey Mike’s Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- The home team has won the first half in each of the last six games between Penn State and Rutgers.
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Penn State vs Rutgers Betting Prediction
Both of these teams have struggled in conference play and they are sitting towards the bottom of the Big Ten standings, but one team will pick up a very big win here. Rutgers has played pretty well at home this year and just gave Purdue a pretty tough game. Penn State has not won a Big Ten game on the road this season and they have lost by margins of 12, 17, 31, and 6 points in those four road games. Rutgers is only scoring 67.9 points per game and they are shooting 38.9% from the field, but I trust them at home a lot more than Penn State on the road. Take Rutgers here.
