The February 26th Rutgers at Penn State betting pick would seem to think the host Nittany Lions come into this matchup a little perturbed. Pat Chambers’ team got embarrassed on Sunday in a 60-68 loss at Indiana albeit in a PK game. A win over the Hoosiers would have put PSU within a game of the top slot in the Big 10 – would have.
Rutgers is a 6 point underdog heading into Wednesday’s tilt mostly because they’re a tale of two teams whether playing at home on the road. The Scarlet Knights’ record at the RAC is impressive at 17-1 but they are also just 1-7 on the road this season. Penn State is no slouch at home either at 13-2 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Rutgers Had a Big Win Last Month
There’s a lot going wrong for the Scarlet Knights heading into the February 26th Rutgers at Penn State betting pick. Steve Pikiell’s team has 5 of the last 7 including 4 straight on the road. One good thing going for Rutgers is that they do own an impressive win over PSU on the season. In that 72-61 Scarlet Knights win back in early January, Rutgers was a +1.5 home ‘dog.
Ron Harper, Jr. powered the Scarlet Knights to the win in University Park with 22 points. Harper will again be the key on Wednesday as he has posted 21+ in 2 of the last 3. Rutgers won that game against Penn State without Geo Baker, a player who has scored at least a dozen points in 5 straight games.
What about Rutgers’ road woes though? The Scarlet Knights have won 2 of the last 3 at the Bryce Jordan Center but are just 1-7 on the road this season. Rutgers rarely has gotten blown out in those losses though, falling by 8 in Wisconsin, 6 at Ohio State, 5 at Maryland, 6 at Michigan (Madison Square Garden) and 5 at Iowa in the last month.
PSU Trying to Get Back on Track
The Nittany Lions are far from in desperation mode, but a win in the February 26th Rutgers at Penn State betting pick would probably be preferable. PSU is 2 games back from Maryland for 1st in the conference and one behind Michigan State for the #1 seed heading into the Big 10 tourney.
What worries PSU bettors on Wednesday is the fact they’ve dropped two straight and most importantly a 62-56 loss to Illinois at home on February 18th as -5.5 favorites. Penn State also lost by 9 at home to Wisconsin back on January 11th but those are the only two blemishes on their home record this season.
Penn State could easily cover the -6 point spread on Wednesday for the simple fact they have Lamar Stevens. The PSU forward has gone for 23+ in 4 of the last 6. In the last 5 games though, the winning margin has been 4 points or less three times.
February 26th Rutgers at Penn State Betting Pick
The odds are better for the Scarlet Knights keeping this one close rather than Penn State running away with the game. 3 of 5 games between the two have been decided by 4 points or less. Rutgers won the previous meeting this season – it was at home but also the Scarlet Knights were without one of their best players as Baker sat out.
Pick: Rutgers +6
