The Big Ten season gets underway for the home team on Wednesday in the Michigan State at Penn State betting matchup. The Nittany Lions (6-2) have been off for more than a week since their 101-94 loss in 2OT at Clemson last week as +2 point underdogs.
The Spartans already have a conference game under their belt, but it wasn’t a good one in a 70-63 home loss to Northwestern on Sunday as -6 point favorites. The home team has won three straight in this series, with the two teams splitting on their own court last season. Penn State is a -3.5 favorite for Wednesday’s meeting as they try to push their mark to 5-0 at home on the season.
Some Sudden Concerns for Michigan State
The Spartans lost three of their top four scorers from last year’s 20-win team so we thought they would struggle early in the season – especially with a very tough schedule. MSU looked like they were going to be alright though, nearly upsetting Gonzaga in a 64-63 loss, beating #4 Kentucky 86-77, and picking up a couple of victories in the Phil Knight Invitational over Oregon and Portland.
The Spartans have stumbled since returning from the Pacific Northwest however, suffering a 70-52 loss at Notre Dame in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge and then suffering the shocking loss to Northwestern in East Lansing. Falling by 18-points to the Fighting Irish was a bad look considering ND had just lost by 12 to St. Bonaventure and had struggled in home wins over Lipscomb (66-65), Youngstown State (88-81), and Radford (79-76).
Offense could be a problem for MSU in the Michigan State at Penn State betting matchup, as no player had more than 12 points in the loss to Northwestern. It doesn’t help that Malik Hall (12.0) ppg missed the Wildcats loss with a foot injury and looks to be out until the middle of the month.
Penn State Rested and Ready
Wednesday’s game is the only meeting of the season between Penn State and Michigan State, and the Nittany Lions get the advantage of hosting this contest at the Bryce Jordan Center as the home team has won three straight in the head-to-head series and 7 of the last 10.
The Nittany Lions suffered a tough one in Clemson, going into 2OT on the road before falling 101-94 to the Tigers. Playing the extra time did help PSU pad the stats a bit though as Camren Wynter (26 points), Seth Lundy (23), and Jalen Pickett (23) all had season highs in points.
Aside from the 2OT loss at Clemson, the only other blemish on Penn State’s record is a 61-59 defeat to Virginia Tech in the Charleston (S.C.) Classic. The Hokies are 8-1 on the season so that’s not a bad loss for PSU.
Free Spartans at Nittany Lions Betting Pick
The Spartans are reeling a bit and things don’t get any easier on a quick turnaround after Sunday’s loss up against a Nittany Lions team that has been off for over a week. Michigan State was absolutely stifled by the Northwestern defense last time out – and that was at home. Have to go with Penn State in this one.
Free Pick: Penn State -3.5
