The Utah Runnin’ Utes (23-11) go head-to-head against the Penn State Nittany Lions (25-13) in the NIT at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
Penn State opened as a 4-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 135 points.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes Betting Prediction
In the Nittany Lions’ last contest, they topped the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 75-60. Penn State launched 20 three pointers, making 11 of them (55.0 percent). Mississippi State, on the other hand, was just 3-15 (20.0 percent). Penn State was led by Tony Carr, who was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points on 8-for-18 shooting.
The Runnin’ Utes were victorious over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their last game, 69-64. Utah’s 0.375 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Western Kentucky, who had a mark of 0.167. The Runnin’ Utes’ mark was above their season average of 0.263, while the Hilltoppers’ was below their season average of 0.289. Justin Bibbins led Utah in scoring with 19 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defensesUtah ranks 44th in effective field goal percentage (0.546), while Penn State is 57th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.482).
Penn State holds records of 25-13 straight up (SU) and 20-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to set the total high when the Nittany Lions are involved, as 55.9 percent of their games have gone under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Utah is 23-11 SU and 18-11-3 ATS. Games including the Runnin’ Utes also have typically gone under the O/U total (62.5 percent).
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes ATS Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Utah, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah ranks 57th in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while Penn State ranks 246th (19.4).
The Nittany Lions rank 47th in steals per game (7.3) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 230th (5.1).
Penn State ranks 22nd in blocks per game (5.0) while Utah ranks 136th (3.4).
The Nittany Lions rank 157th in rebounds per game (35.6) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 240th (33.7).
Utah allows the 34th-fewest assists per game (11.3) while Penn State ranks 58th (11.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Nittany Lions’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 7.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Runnin’ Utes have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
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