Northwestern at Penn State College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/5/2018

Friday, January 5, 2018

Bryce Jordan Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Northwestern Wildcats travel to Bryce Jordan Center to play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, January 5, 2018. The opening line for this game has Penn State as 5 point favorites.

Northwestern heads into this matchup with a mark of 10-6. They currently have a point differential of 8.1 as they are averaging 75.1 points per contest while giving up 67.0 per game. Penn State has an overall mark of 11-5. They are averaging 77.8 points per contest and giving up 64.9, which is a point differential of 12.9.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-8 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-7 against the over/under this year

Important Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 6-5 against the spread this season

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 3-9 against the over/under this year

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/11/17 F Rapolas Ivanauskas Shoulder is out for season
01/04/18 G Bryant McIntosh Knee is "?" Friday vs Penn State

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Bryant McIntosh averages 13.3 points per game in 32.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.5 assists per contest and 2.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 97%. Scottie Lindsey averages 14.6 points per game while playing 29.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Lamar Stevens averages 14.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.8 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 75%. Tony Carr averages 18.7 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Wildcats allow 67.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 68th in the nation. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 199th and 282nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.3 rebounds a game which ranks 64th, and they give up 13.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 159th place in the country. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 249th in college basketball. Northwestern averages 75.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 174th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 8.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 227th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 149th in D-1. They average 34.1 rebounds per game and 15.2 assists per game, which ranks them 267th and 105th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 301st with 11.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nittany Lions surrender 64.9 points per contest, which ranks them 35th in the country. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 69th and 168th in those defensive statistics. They rank 33rd with 10.9 assists allowed per contest, and 86th with 33.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nittany Lions are 302nd in the nation in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game this season. Penn State is 107th in Division 1 with 77.8 points per game this year. They are 106th in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 12.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 63rd in the nation. They are 112th in college basketball in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game and 108th in assists per contest with 15.1. The Nittany Lions are 184th in turnovers per game with 13.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 116th in the nation in offensive rating with 108.3, and their defensive rating of 96.7 is ranked 99th. In terms of pace they are 270th in the country with 68.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 202nd. As a team they are 168th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 107th in Division 1. Northwestern is 290th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 19.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 202nd in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Penn State is 216th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 19.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 46%, which is 51st in Division 1. The Nittany Lions are 23rd in the nation in defensive rating with 90.7, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 107th. They are 141st in D-1 in pace with 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 139th. As a unit they are 145th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 300th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Northwestern/Penn State college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Penn State -5

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