Nebraska vs Penn State Picks and Predictions: Cornhuskers Ready to Cash Against Slumping Lions

Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-9 SU, 15-11 ATS) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (13-13 SU, 11-15 ATS)

When: Wednesday, February 19th, 6:30 PM (ET)

Where: Bryce Jordan Center, PA, University Park

TV: BTN

Point Spread: NEB -1.5/PSU +1.5

Total: 149.5

Money Line: Huskers -114/-107

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Notable Injuries

Cornhuskers

• Rienk Mast (Out) Redshirt
• Berke Buyuktuncel (Out) Ankle

Nittany Lions

• Puff Johnson (Questionable) Hand
• Eli Rice (Out) Undisclosed

Recent Form

Nebraska improved to 17-9 on the season with a 68-64 win over Northwestern on Sunday. The Cornhuskers were -1.5 point favorites going into the game and covered the spread. The combined points of 132 fell short of the O/U line of 141.5.

After trailing 36-21 at halftime, Nebraska turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 47 points while holding Northwestern to 28.

Penn State Nittany Lions Recent Game/Games

Penn State dropped to 13-13 on the season after a narrow 75-73 loss to Washington on Saturday. The Nittany Lions were -6 favorites at home but failed to cover the spread.

After leading 38-34 at halftime, Penn State allowed 41 points in the second half while scoring 35. The game’s total points ended at 148, just under the 149.5 O/U line.

Analysis

In their last game, Nebraska put up 68 points, shooting 44.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.1%, and they hit 78.6% of their free throws, going 22-for-28 from the line.

Nick Martinelli and Ty Berry each scored 23 points, with Berry hitting six threes at a 40% clip. Brice Williams added 21 points, while Juwan Gary contributed 17 points, shooting 57.1% overall and 66.7% from three.

Even with Nebraska giving up 23 offensive rebounds, their defense held strong, allowing just 64 points on 36% shooting from the field. The Cornhuskers limited their opponent’s two-point success, holding them to 36% on 19/52 shooting.

From beyond the arc, Nebraska’s defense conceded seven threes on 20 attempts, a 35% shooting rate. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 8 times, where they converted 5 for 62%.

Ace Baldwin Jr. and Mekhi Mason each scored 20 points for Penn State, with Mason hitting six threes at a 54.5% rate. Baldwin also contributed eight assists, shooting 50% from deep.

Overall, Penn St. shot 40.3% from the field, including 32.1% from beyond the arc and 77.8% from the free-throw line. They finished with 14 assists and 10 offensive rebounds.

Despite giving up 75 points, Penn State’s defense held their opponent to 40% shooting from the field, with 25 made baskets on 62 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 16 two-point field goals on 34 attempts, resulting in a 47% shooting percentage.

From three-point range, Penn State’s defense gave up nine threes on 28 attempts, with their opponent shooting 32%. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 14 free throws for a 77% success rate. Penn State allowed 10 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• Across their ten previous road games, Nebraska has an ATS mark of 6-4. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 5-5 while averaging 69 points per game.
• When looking at their past ten home matchups, Penn State has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 70 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Penn State has an ATS mark of 4-5-1 while going 0-10 straight up.
• Nebraska has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Penn State has lost 7-straight heading into this one and missed a chance to break that streak against a Washington squad that has just four conference wins this season. The Nittany Lions even went into that one as a 6-point favorite. Getting Nebraska at -1.5 steal, and I’m taking them to win and cover.