The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park, PA. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Nebraska is favored by 2 points on the spread with a moneyline of -135. The total is set at 149.5 points.
Here’s my Nebraska vs. Penn State predictions and college basketball picks for February 19, 2025.
Nebraska vs Penn State Prediction
My Pick: Nebraska +1.5 (Play to -1)
My Nebraska vs Penn State best bet is on the Cornhuskers spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Nebraska vs Penn State Odds, Lines
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Penn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
- Nebraska vs Penn State spread: Nebraska -2
- Nebraska vs Penn State over/under: 149.5 points
- Nebraska vs Penn State moneyline: Nebraska -135, Penn State +115
- Nebraska vs Penn State best bet: Nebraska +1.5 (Play to -1)
My Nebraska vs Penn State NCAAB Betting Preview
Poor Penn State. The Nittany Lions aren’t a bad team — top-75, per KenPom — but you wouldn’t necessarily know that from looking at their 3-12 conference record.
For the season, Penn State has scored just one victory over a top-50 opponent and just three over a top-100 opponent.
While it’s played some opponents close in its 12 league losses, the wheels are finally starting to fall off.
Over the past five contests, Penn State is 0-5 straight up and against the spread, with losses at home to two of the weaker Big Ten teams in Minnesota and Washington and three blowout losses to Ohio State, UCLA and USC.
The Nittany Lions' season is effectively over.
Nebraska, on the other hand, has been surging as of late. After a 2-7 conference start, it's won five of its last six games and has established a resume good enough for NCAA Tournament inclusion. Experience has led the way.
Penn State will have a hell of a time scoring against this Nebraska defense. The Nittany Lions are one-dimensional on offense and have the league’s second-worst scoring squad on an adjusted efficiency basis.
Penn State goes heavy with the pick-and-rolls in the half-court and needs to get to the free throw line to score points. The Nittany Lions run ball screens at a top-15 national rate and lead the conference in free throw attempt rate.
Nebraska stops both of these aspects at an elite level. The Huskers have excelled defending ball handlers off of screens this season and lead the Big Ten in free throw attempt rate allowed.
Nebraska’s big perimeter shell makes it challenging to find clean looks from deep (also clear passing and driving lanes).
Nebraska’s offense is a little more versatile than Penn State’s. A hand-off heavy attack relies on Brice Williams, Juwan Gary, Connor Essegian and Rollie Worster to create, make plays and shoot.
While burgeoning forward Berke Buyuktuncel is still out with an injury, 7-foot-1 senior center Braxton Meah has emerged as a serviceable frontcourt piece off the bench behind Andrew Morgan.
Also, Berke’s absence has forced Fred Hoiberg to play more four-guard looks, creating matchup challenges for the opposition.
The Huskers will stay hot and take down a reeling Penn State team looking forward to April.
