It’s been a wild ride for the Penn State Nittany Lions. A few weeks ago, making the NCAA Tournament was in jeopardy.
They’re in the Round of 32 against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night’s CBS broadcast.
Penn State took care of business against the Texas A&M Aggies, earning a 76-59 win. The Nittany Lions were unconscious from the three-point range and delivered under the bright lights.
Meanwhile, it won’t be easy against Texas. After all, the Longhorns won the Big-12 Championship and defeated Colgate by 20 in their first matchup.
Penn State is as confident as any team in the nation. Will the Nittany Lions stun the Texas Longhorns and ruin brackets worldwide?
Read on for my Texas vs Penn State prediction.
Jason Radowitz’s March Madness Betting Record: 2-4 (-2.5 units)
Texas vs Penn State Odds
Note: CBB odds mentioned in this article for Texas vs Penn State were used from DraftKings Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted, and are current as of Friday, March 17, at 11:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Texas (-230) • Penn State (+195)
- Spread: Texas -5.5 (-110) • Penn State +5.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 140.5 (-110) • Under 140.5 (-110)
Texas vs Penn State Pick of the Day
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Keep reading for more Texas Longhorns vs. Penn State Nittany Lions betting tips.
Texas vs Penn State Prediction
Texas 78, Penn State 65
Penn State is doing the unthinkable right now. To conclude the Big Ten regular season, the Nittany Lions were scraping together one-possession wins.
Now they just knocked off one of the best teams in the SEC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
But the Longhorns are something else. Penn State couldn’t get by Purdue in the Big Ten Championship and will also struggle to scrape their way through Texas.
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Texas vs Penn State Best Bets
Texas -5.5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Longhorns have shot 34.6% from deep while hitting 53.7% inside the arc this season. The offense doesn’t shoot nearly as well from downtown as Penn State.
But Texas will be much more effective on the offensive glass. The Longhorns have earned 28.6% of offensive rebounds, while Penn State has hauled in just 19%.
The Nittany Lions must continue to shoot lights out from long range to keep their streak going. Texas has held teams to 32.4% from downtown and 47.3% from inside the arc.
The Longhorns are an outstanding defense, earning 22.6% of turnovers per game. Penn State won’t turn the ball over often but should make more mistakes than usual against this Texas defense.
The run for Penn State ends here.
Over 140.5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I’m not going to take anything away from Penn State.
The Nittany Lions should still hit some shots and score quickly. After all, they will be shooting on the same hoops they did against A&M.
The Nittany Lions put together the oldest team in college basketball, but Texas is right behind Penn State in experience. We’ve got two teams that won’t be phased.
There will be strictly quality basketball out of these two teams.
The Longhorns will earn more second chances and are more likely to get to the foul line more often. Penn State will hit enough threes to send this game Over the total.
Texas Race to 10 Points (-160) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Look for Texas to blitz Penn State early. That should ultimately be the game plan.
The Longhorns need to get out to an early lead against Penn State.
Therefore, if Penn State does get hot from three and go on a little 10-0 run at some point in this game, Texas could call a timeout, regroup, and still be in the game.
In Penn State’s last game, it traded buckets with Texas A&M for most of its first 10 minutes. But once Penn State earned momentum, it was Over for Texas A&M.
The Longhorns won’t let that happen to them. Texas will get out to an early lead.
Texas vs Penn State Same Game Parlay
Texas vs Penn State SGP (+224) • FanDuel Sportsbook
WAGER: 0.25 Units
- Texas -5.5 (-110)
- Over 140.5 (-110)
I’ve got Texas earning a big victory against Penn State to move on to the Sweet 16. The Longhorns will attack the offensive glass more, limiting Penn State from having a huge night from three-point land.
The Longhorns will also get to the foul line at a high rate and help push this game Over.
Texas vs Penn State Props
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