With three straight wins, Penn State is closing in on an NCAA Tournament berth. With a home win over Rutgers tonight (6:30 pm ET, BTN), the program’s first Big Dance trip since 2011 will become all the more likely.

On Thursday, Penn State eked out a 75-71 win at Ohio State, with Jalen Pickett scoring 21 of his 23 points in the second half to help PSU pick up a Quad 1 win in Columbus.

While things are trending up for Penn State, they are trending down for Rutgers, who has lost four of five. They are still on track for a third straight March Madness appearance, but if this cold spell continues, the Big Ten tournament could be crucial for the Scarlet Knights.

Who will take the win tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center? Read on for our Rutgers vs Penn State basketball prediction, as well as our picks for this important Big Ten matchup.

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Rutgers vs Penn State Odds

Odds are via Caesars Sportsbook as of Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 1:30 pm ET.

Spread

• Rutgers +2.5 (-110)
• Penn State -2.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 132.5 (-110)
• Under 132.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Rutgers +130
• Penn State -155

Will the Jalen Pickett Show Continue Tonight Against Rutgers?

After being held to just two points in the first half by the Buckeyes, Pickett took over in the final 20 minutes. He scored 21 of Penn State’s 38 second-half points, and he didn’t match the 41 he scored against Illinois or the 32 he scored at Minnesota, it was yet another outstanding performance in a pivotal contest.

Pickett has now scored 20+ points 12 times this season, and in those 12 games, Penn State is now 9-3 SU and 7-4-1 ATS.

Pickett piling up the points also bodes well for the over, which is 10-2-0 when he hit the 20-point mark.

Player Props for Jalen Pickett

Odds are via Caesars Sportsbook.

Thursday’s game was also the 12th time that Penn State has scored 75+ points, and they are now 11-1 SU and 9-2-1 ATS when scoring 75+ points.

These scoring numbers are relevant to tonight’s matchup because the percentages favor Penn State scoring 75+ points tonight.

That is something that they have done five times at home in Big Ten play, including in a 93-81 win over Illinois in their most recent home game. They are a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS when they have done so, and the over has hit in all five instances.

Rutgers vs Penn State Prediction and Picks

Scarlet Knights vs Nittany Lions Prediction: Penn State to win

Scarlet Knights vs Nittany Lions Picks: Penn State -2.5 (Best Value: Caesars Sportsbook & BetRivers) & Penn State team total over 67.5 (Best Value: BetRivers)

Where to Bet on Rutgers vs Penn State

There’s a good chance that you may already have an account at one or more of the legal sports betting sites we recommend.

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