The No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (14-2, 5-0 Big 10) look to prolong their nine-game winning streak against the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-9, 0-5 Big 10) at Bryce Jordan Center. The game gets underway at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 13, 2019.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Free Prediction
In the Spartans’ last game, they dismantled the Purdue Boilermakers, 77-59. The Spartans knocked down 16 of their 19 free throws (84.2 percent) and held the Boilermakers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.367 (below their season average of 0.550). Michigan State was led by Cassius Winston, who was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
The Nittany Lions lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last matchup, 70-64. Nebraska’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Penn State. The Cornhuskers had a rate of 0.573 (above their season average of 0.547), while the Nittany Lions posted a mark of 0.413 (below their season average of 0.475). With 12 points and 14 rebounds, Mike Watkins had a good game for Penn State.
After the Spartans won the lone game against the Nittany Lions last season, 76-68, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. Michigan State did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (20-25; 80.0 percent). Penn State, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (9.8 vs. 21.3).
The offense of Penn State (278th in the country with an offensive efficiency of 99.8) will face off against the elite defense of Michigan State (62nd in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 94.5). The Spartans figure to have the advantage on that end of the court. Furthermore, the Spartans are among the country’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.1 percent). The Nittany Lions, however, rank 45th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.5 percent).
Michigan State vs. Penn State Betting Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Penn State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan State ranks first in assists per game (21.2) while Penn State ranks 201st (11.9).
The Nittany Lions rank 21st in three pointers allowed per game (18.4) while the Spartans rank 144th (23.1).
Michigan State ranks 10th in blocks per game (5.7) while Penn State ranks 114th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
The Spartans rank fourth in rebounds per game (44.0) while the Nittany Lions rank 96th (37.2).
Penn State ranks 56th in steals per game (7.6) while Michigan State ranks 100th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 22.2, up from 18.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nittany Lions have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (6.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
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