Penn Quakers vs Penn State Nittany Lions NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24

Planning on watching today’s Quakers and Nittany Lions game? Catch the action at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA, as the Nittany Lions hosts this showdown at 1:00 ET on PEAC. The over/under for this game is set at 150.5 points, and Penn State is favored by -25.5 against Penn in a non-conference matchup.

PENN QUAKERS VS PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Penn Quakers +25.5

This game will be played at Bryce Jordan Center at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th.

WHY BET THE PENN QUAKERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Nittany Lions.
• Even though we have Penn State winning straight-up, we like Penn at +25.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.

Can the Quakers Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?

The Quakers dropped to 4-8 on the season after an 85-53 road loss to George Mason on Sunday. Penn entered the game as +15.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 138, just over the O/U line of 137.5.

Penn trailed 35-25 at halftime and struggled defensively in the 2nd half, allowing 50 points while scoring 28 of their own.

Penn’s offense struggled in their last game, scoring just 53 points with a field goal percentage of 32.2% (19/59). They hit 10 of 32 from three-point range, shooting 31.2%, and managed only 9 two-point field goals, shooting 33.3% inside the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.7%, and they converted 5 of 9 free throws (55.6%).

Jalen Haynes led the way with 15 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 77.8% from the field. Jared Billups added 11 points, hitting 2 of 2 from three-point range, while Michael Zanoni also contributed 11 points, connecting on 3 of 9 from deep. The Quakers had 14 assists and 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Despite Penn’s defensive efforts, they couldn’t contain their opponent, allowing 85 points on 50% shooting from the field. The Quakers gave up 21 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 51% success rate for the opposing team.

From beyond the arc, Penn’s defense allowed 9 threes on 18 attempts, with the opponent shooting 50% from deep. The Quakers also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 16, shooting 84%. Penn limited the damage on the boards, giving up just 7 offensive rebounds.

Will Penn State Come Through as Home Favorites?

Penn State improved to 10-2 on the season with a 75-64 road win over Drexel on Saturday. The Nittany Lions entered the game as -13.5 favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 139 fell short of the 145.5 O/U line.

Penn State led 37-29 at halftime and added 38 points in the 2nd half while allowing 35 from Drexel.

Penn State’s offense put up 75 points in their last game, shooting 42.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.1%, with a 48.1% mark on two-point attempts and just 21.4% from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 of 14 threes. They excelled at the free-throw line, connecting on 14 of 15 attempts for a 93.3% rate.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser led the way with 18 points, shooting 53.8%, while Yame Butler added 16 points, despite missing all 5 of his three-point attempts. Ace Baldwin contributed 15 points and 6 assists, and Kevon Vanderhorst hit 2 of 3 threes, finishing with 14 points in just 17 minutes. Penn State also grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists as a team.

Even with Penn State shooting 63% from two-point range, the Nittany Lions managed to hold them to 64 points. They also limited Penn State’s three-point effectiveness, as the team went just 5/23 from beyond the arc, a 21% shooting performance.

Penn State got to the free-throw line 9 times, converting 7 of those attempts for 77%. The Nittany Lions also gave up 10 offensive rebounds in the game.