Longtime Rivalry Renewed As Penn State Visits Penn
For the first time in more than six years, the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University will meet for a roundball matchup when they square off tonight at The Palestra in Philadelphia. The Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0 SU, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) dominated the New Hampshire Wildcats, winning 70-50 on Sunday while holding their opponents to just 32.7 percent shooting.
Sophomore point guard Taylor Battle led the Nittany Lions, scoring 24 points on 9-for-11 shooting while senior forward Jamelle Cornley added 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
The Penn Quakers (1-2 SU, 1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U) dominated the Monmouth NJ Hawks, winning 83-62 at home on Saturday. The Quakers got 22 points from sophomore forward Tyler Bernardini and double figure scoring from three other players.
The Quakers hold a commanding 31-12 advantage over the Nittany Lions in the all-time series between the two schools.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAB free picks.
The Nittany Lions are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
The Nittany Lions are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
The Quakers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 Tuesday games.
The Quakers are 6-20-2 ATS in their last 28 non-conference games.
The Under is 7-1 in Nittany Lions last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
The Under is 4-1 in Nittany Lions last 5 overall.
The Over is 4-1 in Quakers last 5 home games.
The Over is 4-1 in Quakers last 5 overall.
NCAAB Odds
Penn State -4 -110
Penn +4 -110
Analysis: If you’ve never seen a college basketball game at the Palestra, then you’re missing something. College hoops history aside, I like the Nittany Lions to go into the Palestra – and come out with a solid win – though the ‘Penn Quakers Crazies’ certainly won’t make it easy.
Take the Nittany Lions to win outright and cover in the process.
