The Penn State Nittany Lions, currently struggling with a record of 11-16 overall and 2-14 in the Big Ten, will go up against the No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who boast an impressive 22-4 record and a 11-4 conference standing. This matchup is scheduled for Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, with tip-off at 2 p.m. ET, streamed live on the Big Ten Network.
In their most recent outing, Penn State faced off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and suffered an 85-72 defeat, despite being favored at home. The game highlighted the Nittany Lions’ struggles, as they committed 15 turnovers that resulted in 28 points for Rutgers. Josh Reed emerged as a standout for Penn State, contributing 22 points, while teammate Kayden Mingo added 16 points along with significant assists and steals.
Nebraska experienced a tough stretch recently, having started Big Ten play with a strong 9-0 record but now finding themselves on a downward trajectory, losing 4 of their last 6 games. In their latest contest, the Cornhuskers fell to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 57-52, failing to cover the spread as 1.5-point road underdogs. Their performance was marred by a lackluster offensive output, particularly in the second half, where they managed only 9 field goals and struggled from three-point range.
In their previous encounter on February 19, 2025, Penn State unexpectedly triumphed over Nebraska, winning 89-72 as 1-point home underdogs, with the total points exceeding 151.5.
As for the betting odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook, the moneyline favors Nebraska at -3000, while Penn State sits at +1200. The spread indicates Nebraska at -18.5, suggesting they are favored to win substantially. The over/under for this matchup is set at 148.5.
Experts predict a strong performance from Nebraska, foreseeing a final score around Nebraska 82, Penn State 60. Given their need to bounce back and the compelling home-court advantage, Nebraska is likely to build on their elite defensive skills while capitalizing on Penn State’s current lack of consistency. The Cornhuskers are viewed as capable of comfortably winning the game while also potentially covering the spread.
The under is also recommended for this match, particularly due to Nebraska’s penchant for strong defensive showings which may restrict overall scoring. Empowered by their effective tactics in previous meetings, it could result in a lower-scoring outcome.
With both teams heading into this game under different circumstances, fans and analysts are eager to see how it will unfold, especially as Nebraska aims to recover and solidify their competitive edge in the conference.