Penn State vs. Michigan Prediction
Is No. 2 Michigan set to pick up another lopsided win at home tonight when the Wolverines host Penn State at 7PM ET?
619 Penn State vs. 620 Michigan
Thursday, January 3, 2019
7PM ET – Crisler Center
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan is the clear favorite at home, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -11 points against Penn State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 126.5 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on the Nittany Lions on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Penn State looking for consistency
Penn State is coming off a 74-52 win over UMBC last weekend, but the Nittany Lions haven’t won back-to-back games since they won their first two games of the season. They are just 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven. PSU is 7-6 on the season, 0-3 on the road, 0-2 in the Big Ten, 4-8-1 against the spread and 9-4 with the under.
The Nittany Lions have really struggled on offense this season. They rank near the bottom of the nation in scoring (70.4 ppg), shooting (41.7 percent) and 3-point shooting (33.2 percent). Penn State does hold opponents to just 66.2 points per game, but they still allow opponents to shoot 44.2 percent. Lamar Stevens is leading the team with 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Rasir Bolton adds 14.2 points per contest.
Michigan struggling to cover
Michigan is still unbeaten after a 74-52 win over Binghamton, but the Wolverines have failed to cover the spread in five straight games. Michigan is 13-0 on the season, 9-0 at home, 2-0 in the Big Ten, 5-8 against the spread and 8-4 with the under.
The Wolverines have one of the top defensive teams in the nation, holding opponents to just 55.1 points per game on 38.4 percent shooting. Offensively, U-M is putting up 73.2 points per game while shooting 37.7 percent from the arc. Ignas Brazdeikis is leading Michigan with 16.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while Charles Matthews is adding 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Penn State
Penn State is 0-4-1 against the spread in its last five road games and 0-5 ATS in their last five following a win.
Michigan
Michigan has failed to cover in four straight home games and in four straight after a failed cover.
Prediction:
Something has to give here as both teams have been struggling to cover. The Wolverines have been a little shaky in recent weeks, but they looked good in their lone Big Ten home game against Purdue, winning 76-57. Penn State is a team that isn’t going to put up a lot of points, so the Michigan offense won’t need much to cover tonight. If they can continue to hit the 3-point shot well, the Wolverines should be too much for the Nittany Lions.
College Basketball Prediction: Michigan -11