The Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6) challenge the UMBC Retrievers (7-6) at the Bryce Jordan Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
UMBC Retrievers at Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Prediction
The last time the Retrievers played, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Marquette Golden Eagles, 67-42. Marquette’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over UMBC. The Golden Eagles had a rate of 0.467, while the Retrievers posted a mark of 0.274. Arkel Lamar led UMBC in scoring with 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
The Nittany Lions beat the North Florida Ospreys in their last matchup, 87-72. One of Penn State’s largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 35 free throw attempts, while North Florida had 22. Lamar Stevens was the game’s high scorer with 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Penn State. Penn State ranks 167th in the country in ball protection (turnover percentage of 18.8 percent), while the gambling defense of UMBC forces the 64th-most turnovers in the nation (24.6 percent). Additionally, the Retrievers rank 256th in offensive rebounding percentage (26.0 percent), while the Nittany Lions rank 60th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.1 percent).
Stevens has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Penn State.
UMBC Retrievers at Penn State Nittany Lions Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Penn State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Penn State ranks 27th in three pointers allowed per game (18.7) while UMBC ranks 158th (26.5).
The Retrievers rank 53rd in steals per game (8.2) while the Nittany Lions rank 120th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Penn State ranks 40th in assists allowed per game (11.0) while UMBC ranks 88th (12.1).
The Retrievers rank 43rd in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while the Nittany Lions rank 77th (3.3).
Penn State ranks 121st in rebounds per game (36.8) while UMBC ranks 143rd in rebounds allowed per game (35.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Retrievers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 4.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nittany Lions have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (3.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 64.6 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
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