Penn State at Michigan College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/3/2019

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Crisler Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Crisler Center to play the Michigan Wolverines on Thursday, January 3, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Michigan as 12 point favorites.

Penn State heads into this matchup with a mark of 7-6. They currently have a point differential of 4.2 as they are averaging 70.4 points per contest while giving up 66.2 per game. Michigan has an overall record of 13-0. They are averaging 73.2 points per game and surrendering 55.1, good for a point differential of 18.1.

Valuable Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 5-8-0 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 4-9-0 against the over/under

Important Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends

The Michigan Wolverines are 5-8-0 against the spread

The Michigan Wolverines are 4-9-0 against the over/under

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

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

Key Michigan Wolverines Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Rasir Bolton averages 14.2 points per game in 28.0 minutes per contest. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 2.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Lamar Stevens comes into this contest averaging 18.8 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Player Spotlight

Charles Matthews averages 13.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per contest and 1.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 62%. Ignas Brazdeikis averages 16.5 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nittany Lions allow 66.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 68th in Division 1. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 229th and 142nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.7 rebounds a game which ranks 163rd, and they give up 10.8 assists per contest which puts them in 45th place in the NCAA. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 254th in the nation. Penn State averages 70.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 282nd in the country. Their average scoring margin is 4.2 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 291st. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 226th in D-1. They average 36.7 rebounds per game and 12.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 151st and 254th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 223rd with 12.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Wolverines surrender 55.1 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 77th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 9.7 assists allowed per contest, and 67th with 32.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wolverines are 136th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game. Michigan is 211th in the country with 73.2 points per game this year. They are 105th in the D-1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 18.1. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 51st in the nation. They are 120th in the country in rebounding with 37.5 boards per game and 118th in assists per contest with 14.7. The Wolverines are 346th in turnovers per game with 9.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 101.6, which is ranked 229th. They are 275th in college basketball in pace with 68.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 286th. As a unit they are 287th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 162nd in D-1. Penn State is 218th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Michigan is 343rd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions. The Wolverines have an offensive rating of 111.2, which is ranked 59th. They are 340th in D-1 in pace with 65.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 88th. As a unit they are 124th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 146th in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Michigan -12

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