Michigan State vs Penn State Predictions, NCAA Basketball Picks 3/3/2020

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Location: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Penn State +2

Total/Over-Under: 144

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Bryce Jordan Center to play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has MSU as 2 point favorites.

Michigan State heads into this matchup with a mark of 20-9. They currently have a point differential of 11.3 as they are averaging 75.7 points per contest while giving up 64.4 per game. Penn State has an overall record of 21-8. They are averaging 75.4 points per game and surrendering 67.4, good for a point differential of 8.0.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 13-16-0 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 13-15-1 against the over/under

Important Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 16-12-1 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 14-15-0 against the over/under

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

12/19/19 G Joshua Langford Foot is out for season
11/13/19 F Joey Hauser Eligibility is out for season
01/24/20 G Brock Washington Suspension is out indefinitely

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Cassius Winston comes into this contest averaging 18.5 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 87%. Xavier Tillman averages 13.3 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.0 assists per contest and 10.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Lamar Stevens averages 17.7 points per game while playing 30.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.9 rebounds per game and has 2.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Myreon Jones averages 13.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State averages 75.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 59th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 11.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 65th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 79th in the nation. They average 40.7 rebounds per game and 17.8 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 214th with 12.8 per game. The Spartans allow 64.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 45th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.2 rebounds a game which ranks 89th and they give up 12.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 199th place in Division 1. They force 11.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Penn State is 64th in the country with 75.4 points per game this year. They are 172nd in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 8.0. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 200th in the nation. They are 40th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.8 boards per game, and 86th in assists per contest with 14.3. The Nittany Lions are 303rd in turnovers per game with 11.6. The Nittany Lions surrender 67.4 points per contest, which ranks them 122nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 51st and 121st in those defensive statistics. They rank 112th with 11.8 assists allowed per contest and 289th with 37.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nittany Lions are 188th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans are 39th in the nation in offensive rating with 108.7. In terms of pace they are 154th in the country with 69.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 63rd. As a team they are 61st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 173rd in Division 1. Michigan State is 226th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Penn State is 334th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions. The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 105.3, which is ranked 93rd. They are 68th in D-1 in pace with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 163rd. As a unit they are 182nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 137th in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Penn State +2

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