Penn State Nittany Lions vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/15/2025

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Venue:  Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI

Where to Watch:  Big Ten Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  PSU +10.5, MSU -10.5; Over/Under:  155.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  PSU +10.5, MSU -10.5; Over/Under:  155.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  PSU +10.5, MSU -10.5; Over/Under:  155.5 points

Penn State Nittany Lions:  12-5 (2-4) (13th place, Big Ten)

Michigan State Spartans:  14-2 (5-0) (1st place, Big Ten)

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Penn State Nittany Lions:  2-3  last 5

Michigan State Spartans:  5-0  last 5

Penn State is entering this game with a 12-5 record overall, a 2-4 record in conference games, and they are 1-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Oregon Ducks in their last game. Freddie Dilione V led the team in points per game in that game with 21 while Nick Kern Jr. was next on the team with 19. Zach Hicks and Nick Kern Jr. each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Nick Kern Jr. led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 45.6% from the field, 36.8% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.6 PPG against them. Penn State has an ATS record of 7-10 this season and their O/U record is 7-9-1.

Michigan State is entering this game with a 14-2 record overall, a 5-0 conference record, and they are 8-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Northwestern Wildcats in their last game. Jaden Akins led the team in points in that game with 14 while Jase Richardson was next on the team with 13. Jeremy Fears Jr. led the team in assists with 8 in that game while Jaxon Kohler, Szymon Zapala, Frankie Fidler, and Carson Cooper each led the team in rebounds with 5. They were 50% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 74.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66 PPG against them. Michigan State has an ATS record of 11-5 this season and their O/U record is 6-10.

The current betting odds have Michigan State listed as a 10.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan State has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-2 record overall and their 5-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big Ten. They are ranked inside the top 25 since they have been playing like one of the best teams in the nation all year and they have also looked great on their home court with their 8-0 home record. Meanwhile, Penn State has looked really good in their games this season with their 12-5 record overall, but their 2-4 conference record has them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They have struggled a lot more in conference play this season and they haven't been a good road team either with their 1-2 road record. They are coming off a tight loss to Oregon in their last one, but they lost that game at home. Michigan State is coming off a win in their last one though and they won on the road against Northwestern. Michigan State has struggled more over the last few years, but now they finally have a team that can compete for the National Championship again and they are going to bring their best effort here to stay right at the top of the Big Ten and send a message that Michigan State is back. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan State to cover the spread in this game. 

Penn State Michigan State Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Michigan State 86 Penn State 71.

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Penn State Nittany Lions: 6-13 1H ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5. 9-17 1H ATS versus excellent teams - shooting 45% or more with a defense of 42% or less. 12-23 1H ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 24-17 OVER as an underdog. 16-9 OVER off a loss against a conference rival. 21-12 OVER versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game.

Michigan State Spartans: 24-16 ATS in all home games. 11-6 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 39-26 ATS versus good ball handling teams - committing 14 turnovers/game or less. 7-3 OVER after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 7-2 1H OVER off a road win against a conference rival.

Penn State Nittany Lions:  None.

Michigan State Spartans:  None.

"We're a pressing team, we deny the ball. I told the referees, we're going to be physical before they throw it in, so if they call a foul, they call a foul. I told them." - Mike Rhoades after his team’s loss against Oregon in their last game. 

“I thought it was a poor job on our part, great job on their part. I did not think we played physical enough. From the first loose ball of the game, we’re going down and grabbing it like a 98-year-old person, bending over like you’re in the garden or something. I really wasn’t happy with that all day.” - Tom Izzo after his team’s win against Northwestern in their last game. 

A. Baldwin 

F. Dilione 

Z. Hicks 

P. Johnson 

Y. Konan Niederhauser

J. Akins 

J. Fears 

T. Holloman 

J. Kohler 

S. Zapala

PPG: A. Baldwin (13.9)

APG: A. Baldwin (8)

Reb/G: Y. Konan Niederhauser (6.6)

PPG: J. Akins (14.1)

APG: J. Fears (6.4)

Reb/G: J. Kohler (8.2)

Coaches:

Penn State Nittany Lions: Mike Rhoades (2nd season)

Michigan State Spartans: Tom Izzo (30th season)