After posting back-to-back wins, Penn State will look to continue a late-season surge with a win at Ohio State (6:30 pm ET, FS1).

The Nittany Lions (16-11, 7-9 Big Ten) saw their NCAA Tournament hopes take a big hit with a four-game losing streak.

But a home win over Illinois and a road win over Minnesota, Penn State has begun to right the ship. And with four games left, there is time and opportunity left to potentially win their way in.

Ohio State (11-16, 3-13 Big Ten) is struggling mightily, having lost eight in a row and 13 of 14. But with the Buckeyes still in the top 75 in the NET, this is a chance for PSU to pick up a Quad 1 win.

Will they take advantage of the opportunity? Read on for our Penn State vs Ohio State basketball prediction, as well as our picks for tonight’s clash in Columbus.

Penn State vs Ohio State Odds

Odds are via FanDuel as of Thursday, February 23, 2023. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Penn State +1.5 (-102)
• Ohio State -1.5 (-120)

Over/Under

• Over 142.5 (-110)
• Under 142.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Penn State +108
• Ohio State -130

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Will Pickett Pile Up the Points Again to Help Penn State Prosper?

Consecutive losses to Purdue, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Maryland left the Nittany Lions in peril entering the final few weeks of the regular season.

But thanks to Jalen Pickett, they still have some control over their destiny.

In a 93-81 win over Illinois on Valentine’s Day, Pickett poured in 41 points (15-20 FG, 5-9 3PT, 6-6 FT) and dished out eight assists to end the losing skid.

He followed that up with 32 points (11-20 FG, 4-8 3PT, 6-7 FT) and finished a rebound and two assists away from a triple-double in a 76-69 win at Minnesota last Saturday.

Pickett (18.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.0 APG, 52.3/37.8/80.3 FG/3PT/FT) has scored 20+ points 11 times this season, and Penn State is 8-3 in those 11 games, losing only at Clemson, at Michigan, and at home to Purdue.

It’s certainly not a one-man show though, as Seth Lundy and Andrew Funk are two of the top three-point shooters in the country and are very capable of going off as well.

Lundy (14.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG) is in the top ten nationally in three-point percentage (44.1%), while Funk (41.2%) is just inside the top 30 nationally.

But in Penn State’s last six losses, Pickett has scored 19, 15, 12, 15, 17, and 15 points, while he has gone for 20+ in five of Penn State’s conference wins to date. So, if he hits the 20-point mark tonight, it should bode well for Penn State’s chances to win.

Penn State vs Ohio State Prediction and Picks

Nittany Lions vs Buckeyes Prediction: Penn State to win

Nittany Lions vs Buckeyes Picks: Penn State ML (Best Value: Caesars Sportsbook) & Jalen Pickett over 20.5 points (Caesars Sportsbook)

I don’t see anything other than a Penn State win, and it will come with another standout showing by Pickett.

Ohio State has had a number of close losses, but their three most recent losses are by 21 (vs Michigan State at home), 17 (at Iowa), and 27 at Purdue.

Do those losses say anything about Ohio State’s effort or that it should be a cakewalk for Penn State? No and no.

But against a team that is on a terrible, disappointing run, Pickett and the Nittany Lions should have a productive and prosperous night.

If you are backing the visitors to win like I am, I also recommend betting on the over on their team total.

It’s not out anywhere at the time of writing. but when it does come out, it should be around 70.5. That would be a great number, given that Penn State has scored 74+ points in every Big Ten win this season.

There are almost five dozen games on Thursday’s college basketball schedule, and we can’t come close to covering them. But if you are interested in picks for some of the other matchups on the board, we highly recommend Doc’s Sports.

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