Penn State at Alabama College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Coleman Coliseum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Coleman Coliseum to play the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Alabama as 2 point favorites.

Penn State comes into this game with an overall record of 6-5. They currently have a point differential of 3.7 as they are averaging 70.6 points per game while giving up 66.9 per contest. Alabama has an overall mark of 7-3. They are averaging 76.6 points per contest and giving up 72.3, which is a point differential of 4.3.

Valuable Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 4-7-0 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 4-7-0 against the over/under

Important Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Trends

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 2-7-1 against the spread

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 8-1-1 against the over/under

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

12/14/18 F Satchel Pierce Academics is out for season

Key Alabama Crimson Tide Injuries

11/29/18 F Javian Davis-Fleming Undisclosed is out indefinitely
11/05/18 G Riley Norris Heart is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lamar Stevens comes into this contest averaging 19.7 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Rasir Bolton averages 14.8 points per game in 28.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Kira Lewis Jr. averages 15.6 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. John Petty averages 11.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.9 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Penn State averages 70.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 262nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 3.7 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 297th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 243rd in the nation. They average 37.0 rebounds per game and 12.2 assists per game, which ranks them 152nd and 277th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 186th with 13.4 per game. The Nittany Lions allow 66.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 75th in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 218th and 127th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 162nd and they give up 11.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 51st place in Division 1. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 286th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Alabama is 130th in the country with 76.6 points per game this year. They are 175th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 210th in the nation. They are 87th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.3 boards per game, and 248th in assists per contest with 12.8. The Crimson Tide are 163rd in turnovers per game with 13.6. The Crimson Tide surrender 72.3 points per contest, which ranks them 203rd in D-1. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 260th and 281st in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 10.2 assists allowed per contest and 73rd with 32.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Crimson Tide are 142nd in country in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 100.4, which is ranked 249th. They are 239th in college basketball in pace with 69.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 290th. As a unit they are 293rd in the nation in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 158th in D-1. Penn State is 185th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Alabama is 183rd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions. The Crimson Tide have an offensive rating of 107.6, which is ranked 124th. They are 164th in D-1 in pace with 71.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 199th. As a unit they are 179th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 239th in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Alabama -2

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