Penn State (15-16) vs Michigan (8-23)
Game Info: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 9:00 pm (Target Center)
Betting Odds: Penn State -5.5 -- Over/Under: 150.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: PEAC
The Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines will meet in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament this Wednesday from the Target Center on Peacock. PSU comes in as 5.5-point favorites, with the total hovering 150.5. Stay tuned for our Michigan vs Penn State Prediction.
Michigan Preview: Will the Wolverines Show Any Form of Life?
Michigan closed at 8-23 after losing to Nebraska in Lincoln, 85-70. The Wolverines were outscored in both halves by the Cornhuskers, and it’s unclear how they’ll come out here in Minneapolis. Michigan is scoring 75.2 points per game, on 45.3% shooting, while allowing 78.8 ppg, and they’re 2-8 over their previous ten games.
Michigan Team Profile
- Juwan Howard’s team plays at a solid pace, averaging 73.2 possessions per game (111th), and they’ve shot well from deep, connecting on 36.2% of their three-point attempts (61st).
- Sophomore guard Dug McDaniel scored 17 points or more in three of the final four games, and he leads Michigan in scoring (16.6) and assists (4.6).
- Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua leads the Wolverines in rebounding (7.1), but he's missed the last five games.
More College Basketball Picks: Middle Tennessee State vs Louisiana Tech Prediction!
Penn State Preview: Nittany Lions in Managable Spot to Advance
Penn State finished at 15-16 after defeating Maryland at home, 85-69. The Nittany Lions pulled away from the Terps in the second period, and they’ll try to replicate those results here against the Wolverines. PSU is scoring 75.6 points per game, on 44.3% shooting, while allowing 74.8 ppg, and they’re 5-5 over their previous ten games.
Penn State Team Profile
- Mike Rhoades’ team has been forced to slow things down here in league action, averaging 73.5 possessions per game (74th), and they’ve shot 33.6% from the outside.
- VCU transfer Ace Baldwin Jr. went for a team-high 23 points in the Indiana victory, and he leads the Nittany Lions in assists (5.9), while scoring 14.2 ppg.
- Former Georgetown big Qudus Wahab led the way with 18 points in the Iowa matchup, and he leads PSU in rebounding (7.5), while scoring 9.5 ppg.
Michigan vs Penn State Trends
- Michigan leads the current series, 38-16, but Penn St. has won the last two meetings.
- UM is 8-23 against the spread, with a 18-13 O/U record
- PSU is 16-15 ATS, with a 19-12 over/under record.
Michigan vs Penn State Prediction
I love any variation of 8-24, but that may unfortunately be where Juwan Howard’s team finishes this season. It’s been a rough and unstable year in Ann Arbor, and I personally hope the former Fab Five member doesn’t go out like his fellow NBA counterpart Patrick Ewing did at Georgetown, but it’s been a mess for Big Blue this season. Penn State made a great hire bringing Mike Rhoades over from VCU, and after making strides this season, I like swaying in their direction here in round one. Back Penn State for this Big Ten matchup, and with both schools trending well with the Over, give that a look as well.
Corey’s Pick Penn State TO COVER
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
