Penn State Nittany Lions vs 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers

This NCAAB matchup features Penn State Nittany Lions (11-16 (8-7)) traveling to take on No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-4 (13-2)) at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE. The Nebraska hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Penn State by 16.6 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. Nebraska averages 78.3 points per game, but they face a Penn State defense that holds opponents to 79.2 PPG. The visitors' defensive prowess could limit the home team's scoring output. The Penn State offense puts up 75.3 PPG and faces a Nebraska defense allowing 65.6 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Nebraska will look to leverage their home crowd. The Nebraska are heavy favorites in this one, with our model projecting a 14.3-point advantage. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Nebraska winning by 28 to winning by 1. The market has this game at -18.5, but our model sees value on Penn State with a 4.2-point edge. Our line: Nebraska -14.3. Combined with the total projection of 154 versus the market line of 148.5, there are opportunities to find value on both sides of this matchup.

Nebraska has been one of the more consistent teams this season with a 22-4 (13-2) record. Their 22-win campaign speaks to the quality of play they've maintained throughout the year. At home, the Nebraska have been particularly strong, using crowd energy and familiarity to their advantage. It's been a difficult season for Penn State at 11-16 (8-7). Traveling to face Nebraska presents a significant challenge, though every game is a chance to build for the future. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.