Rutgers Scarlet vs Penn State Nittany NCAAB Betting Prediction

Rutgers Scarlet vs Penn State Nittany Prediction 1/20/2025

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-8) travel to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (12-6) on Monday, January 20th. This game will be played at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park and televised on PEAC. Rutgers is coming off a win in their previous game, while Penn State is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Michigan State. Tip-off is set for 6:30 ET.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Penn State Nittany Lions

The Scarlet Knights Are Coming Off A Win

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games

Rutgers improved to 10-8 on the season with an 85-82 win over Nebraska on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights pulled off the upset as +8.5 point underdogs, covering the spread in the process.

Rutgers led 40-37 at halftime and matched Nebraska’s 45 points in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 167 exceeded the O/U line of 146.5.

The Nittany Lions Are Coming Off A Win

Penn State Nittany Lions Recent Game/Games

Penn State fell to 12-6 on the season after a 90-85 loss to Michigan State on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions were +11.5 point underdogs on the road but managed to cover the spread.

After trailing 46-36 at halftime, Penn State scored 49 points in the 2nd half while allowing 44. The game’s total points of 175 went over the pre-game line of 151.5.

Scarlet Knights Offense Breakdown

Rutgers put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 49.3% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range, connecting on 12 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 58.2%, and they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, with 16 assists as a team.

Ace Bailey led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 4 of 7 from deep. Brice Williams and Dylan Harper each added 21 points, with Harper also contributing 4 assists. Dylan Grant was efficient, making 7 of 8 shots, while Zach Martini hit 3 of 4 threes, finishing with 11 points.

Nittany Lions Offense Breakdown

Penn State’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 85 points with a field goal percentage of 52.8%. They were especially effective from two-point range, hitting 62.1% of their shots, while also connecting on 41.7% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 62.3%, and they shot 76% from the free-throw line, making 19 of 25 attempts.

Ace Baldwin Jr. led the way with 20 points and 9 assists, while D’Marco Dunn and Frankie Fidler each added 18 points. Dunn hit 4 of 7 from three-point range, and Zach Hicks also connected on 4 threes, finishing with 14 points. The Nittany Lions recorded 20 assists as a team, with 8 offensive rebounds.

Scarlet Knights Team Defense

Rutgers struggled defensively, giving up 82 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 45% from the field. They conceded 19 two-point field goals on 40 attempts, a 47% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Rutgers allowed 9 threes on 22 attempts, a 40% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 17 shots, shooting 63%. Rutgers gave up 19 offensive rebounds.

Nittany Lions Team Defense

Rutgers gave up 82 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 45% from the field. They allowed 47% shooting on two-point attempts, as the other team made 19 of their 40 shots.

From beyond the arc, Rutgers’ defense allowed 9 threes on 22 attempts, a 40% shooting clip. The other team also went to the line 27 times, making 17 free throws. Rutgers gave up 19 offensive rebounds.

Scarlet Knights vs Nittany Lions Trends

  • When looking at their past five road matchups, Rutgers has an ATS record of 2-2-1 while averaging 80 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
  • In their last ten games at home, the Nittany Lions have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 3-5-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 70 points per game in this stretch.
  • The last ten games that Rutgers was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 2-8 straight up.
  • Through their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Nittany Lions have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 0-3.

Scarlet Knights vs Nittany Lions Prediction

We’re calling a win for the Nittany Lions, with a final score of 77-69, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Nittany Lions at -6.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 157.5 and given that our model is projecting 146 points between the teams, we like the under.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.