The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off on Wednesday and the second game on the slate is a matchup between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Penn State is going through a rough season but oddsmakers have the Nittany Lions installed as 7-point favorites for this contest which will take place at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
We bring you our best free Nebraska vs. Penn State picks and predictions for college basketball betting action on Wednesday, March 10.
Nebraska vs Penn State odds
Sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonDraftKings opened Penn State a 7.5-point favorite Tuesday night and dropped to -6 by early Wednesday, then spent all day at -6.5. As of 6 p.m. ET, 69 percent of tickets and money are on the Nittany Lions. The total bounced between 146.5 and 146 several times, spent a little time at 145.5 and is now 146, with 57 percent of bets/53 percent of cash on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this game
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Penn State Nittany Lions betting preview
Injuries
Nebraska: Akol Arop F (Out).
Penn State: None.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Over is 5-1 in Cornhuskers' last 6 overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Nebraska vs. Penn State.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
Nebraska has been the worst team in the Big Ten, going 3-16 SU in conference play. That said, the Cornhuskers finished their regular season by winning two of the last four games, and, thanks to getting some lopsided lines, went 7-4 ATS in their final 11 contests.
The Nittany Lions went 7-12 SU in Big 10 play but closed out their regular season by winning three of their last four games, including an 86-83 victory against Nebraska. That said, they failed to cover the spread as 6.5-point favorites in that game and lost outright as 11-point home faves against the Huskers on February 14.
Nebraska has been among the worst teams in the conference at turning the ball over, rebounding and free-throw shooting. However, when it comes to the most basic numbers, shooting the ball from the floor and defending opposing shooters, the Huskers actually have the edge versus PSU.
Nebraska shoots 41.9 percent from the floor while limiting foes to 42.4 percent shooting. Penn State ranks outside the Top-300 in both field goal percentage (40.7 percent) and opponent field goal percentage (46.7).
That discrepancy was highlighted in both meetings this season, with the Huskers shooting a combined 50.9 percent from the floor and PSU shooting just 36.3 percent. With how poor the Nittany Lions have been defending this season, back the Huskers on the spread.
PREDICTION: Nebraska +7 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
In the two previous meetings between these teams last month, the totals couldn't have been any more different. They combined for 169 points in Penn State on February 23, while totaling just 123 points on February 14.
However, there's reason to think that the first meeting, where Nebraska won 62-61, was an outlier. Both of these squads are absolutely brutal on defense, with Nebraska ranking outside the Top-250 in both scoring defense (74.3 ppg) and opponent two-point field goal percentage (52.4 percent).
Penn State ranks outside the Top-250 in scoring defense by allowing 73.2 ppg, while allowing opponents to shoot a scorching 54.3 percent from inside the arc.
The Huskers also play at a very fast pace ranking 33rd in the country in adjusted tempo according to KenPom. With Nebraska 5-1 to the Over in its last six games, take the Over again.
PREDICTION: Over 146.5 (-110)
Nebraska vs Penn State betting card
- Nebraska +7 (-110)
- Over 146.5 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Nebraska vs. Penn State picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college basketball?
You can bet on college basketball odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of prop odds. Head over to our best sportsbooks for college basketball betting in your area.
