GAME: #617 Penn State vs #618 Rutgers
TIME: 1/7/2020 – 7:00p EST
SPREAD: Penn State -1
TOTAL: 139.5
SPORTSBOOK: 5Dimes Sportsbook
The #20 Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2, 2-1) are set to play their first road game since Dec. 7th at Ohio State where they lost 106-74 in a Big 10 conference matchup. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-3, 2-1) will be hosting this game at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey on Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST. Penn State will be looking for their 3rd straight win over Rutgers at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Rutgers’ last win at home against the Nittany Lions came on Jan. 3, 2015. Last season these teams met twice, Rutgers winning 64-60 at Penn St. while Penn State beat them in the conference tournament 66-65. This will be a close contest however Rutgers is expected to be without guard Geo Baker who averages 11.5 points per game.
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
The Penn State Nittany Lions are averaging 81 points per game on 45% field-goal shooting while adding 8.4 three-pointers per game and 11.2 offensive rebounds. Penn State is allowing only 67 points per game on 39% field goal shooting well forcing 15.8 turnovers and adding 5.8 steals and 2.5 blocks on the defensive end. The Nittany Lions are led by Lamar Stevens was 16.4 points seven rebounds 2.6 assist 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game along with Myreon Jones who’s averaging 13.8 points 3 rebounds and big man Mike Watkins with 10.6 points and nine rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are averaging 73 points per game on 47% field goal shooting however struggling from 3 shooting only 29% but averaging 10.8 offensive rebounds per game. The Scarlet Knights are allowing only 59 points per game on 37% field goal shooting while forcing 14.8 turnovers and adding 7.1 steals and 3.7 blocks on the defensive end. Rutgers are led by Ron Harper Jr with 11.7 points per game long with Geo Baker with 11.5 points per game 4 assists along with Miles Johnson who is adding 9.7 points and 9.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Geo Baker is not expected to play in this game due to a Thumb injury which will disrupt their entire offensive flow.
PENN STATE vs RUTGERS PREDICTION
The Penn State Nittany Lions are not only off to a great start but they are also playing great basketball as a team against some tough competition. Rutgers are also off to a great start however they have not faced nearly the same amount of competition. The Rutgers offense is going to struggle without Baker while Penn State will be looking for revenge after last year’s loss on their own home court. The line on this game opened at Rutgers -2 however it is moved to Penn State -1 due to the simple fact that Penn State has the better team and that Baker is expected to be out this game. Penn St. should have no problem winning this game and keeping Rucker’s from scoring their usual 70 points per game.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
PENN STATE
- Nittany Lions are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.
- Over is 5-1 in Nittany Lions last 6 overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Nittany Lions last 5 games following a straight-up win.
RUTGERS
- Over is 8-0 in Scarlet Knights last 8 Tuesday games.
- Scarlet Knights are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Scarlet Knights are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Road team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
- Underdog is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Penn State -1 / Under 139.5
Fade the Public: no data / Under 139.5
Sharp Action: no data / no data
Penn State vs Rutgers Prediction Sports Betting Analysis – College Basketball