Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan State Spartans Betting Odds

Opening Line: MSU -13 Penn State +13 O/U 132.5

Time: 7 PM EST Thursday March 4, 2010 on ESPN2

Tonight in a Big 10 match up the Penn State Nittany Lions host the 12th ranked Michigan State Spartans. MSU is in the Big Dance and they can win a share of the Big 10 title if they win this game and their season finale. If they can win a share of the conference title it will really help the Spartans get a solid seed in the NCAA tournament. Penn State will not be playing in the post-season and tonight they look to avoid losing 3 straight at home for the first time in 13 years.

This season Penn State is 7-8 at home and 12-13 ATS and MSU is 8-4 on the road and 11-16 ATS.

In their last games both teams won on Sunday, as Penn State beat Northwestern 79-60 and MSU beat Purdue 53-44.

In the earlier match up this season between these 2 teams MSU beat Penn State 65-54.

Penn State has kind of turned things around winning 3 of their last 4 games after a 12 game losing streak.

MSU has also won 3 of their last 4 after suffering a 3 game losing streak, which put their chances of winning the Big 10 in jeopardy.

Penn State may have to win this game with their defense, which is giving up an average of 64.2 ppg, as they are only averaging 65.5 ppg and only have one player that is averaging in double figures. However, the Nittany Lions offense has woken up in their last 4 games averaging just over 70 ppg after only averaging 59.4 ppg in their 13-game winning streak.

Penn State's one offensive weapon is G Talor Battle (19 ppg) and he will have to play great tonight for the Nittany Lions to have any chance of scoring an upset.

MSU has a solid inside-outside game with 2 guards and 2 forwards averaging in double figures led by reigning Big 10 Player of the Year Kalin Lucas (15.1 ppg).

Penn State is not a good rebounding team, as they do not have one player that is averaging over 6 rebounds per game. They will have to hit the boards as a team, as if the Spartans control the boards, especially on the offensive end, they will control this game.

Penn State is 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games, 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog, and has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games against teams with a winning record.

MSU is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and has an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games at home against teams with a losing record.

In the last 6 games between these 2 teams the total has gone Under 5 times.

Our Selection : Penn State have been playing better as of late, winning 3 of their last 4. The Nittany Lions are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games, 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog. MSU is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Look for Penn State to stay close in this game. Take Penn State +13.