Streaking Squads on Collision Course
Saturday’s second-round games have the chance to be special with several potential upsets and meetings between red-hot teams. No. 2 Texas (27-8) against No. 10 Penn State could be the top matchup of the day.
Both teams are scorching with the Longhorns riding a five-game winning streak while going 5-0 against the spread (ATS). The Nittany Lions have won six of the last seven while going 6-1 ATS. Whose hot streak will be doused? Let’s check the latest news surrounding the anticipated matchup, including NCAA basketball odds.
Texas Title Lines Dropping
What is there to not like about Texas right now? After tearing through the Big 12 Tournament, the Longhorns picked up right where they left off against No. 15 Colgate. They sustained several runs and came out on top 81-61, covering college basketball lines’ 12½-point spread.
The backcourt continued its great play. Marcus Carr (15.9 points) led the starting lineup with 17 points. Sir’Jabari Rice (12.9 points) was a human torch with 23 points while draining 7 of 10 attempts from three.
Sir’Jabari Rice’s seventh 3 of the game! pic.twitter.com/xrNfGltAft
— Hook’em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) March 17, 2023
Forward Dylan Disu (8.5 points) stayed hot with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Disu could be the X-factor of a potential championship run. He has provided Texas with a dominant frontcourt presence over the last four games. The sportsbook has the Longhorns with the second-lowest odds to win the tournament at +1000.
Colgate was a great precursor for Penn State. The Raiders led the nation in 3-point percentage, and Texas held them to 3 of 15 from deep. The Nittany Lions were 13 of 22 on 3-pointers in the first round and rank fifth in 3-point percentage.
Penn State Poised for Deep Run?
Thursday was a wild day featuring shocking results, like No. 15 Princeton topping No. 2 Arizona. Penn State’s dominant 76-59 win over Texas A&M was one of the surprises. Some labeled the Aggies as a dark horse to go on a deep run. The Nittany Lions snuffed that out by draining threes.
PSU shot 59.1% from beyond the arc. Andrew Funk (12.5 points) was unconscious from deep, going 8 of 10 in his 27-point outing. The Lions did not even play their best game – that’s terrifying. Leading scorers Jalen Pickett (17.9 points) and Seth Lundy (14.3 points) had inefficient shooting days at 7 of 18 and 3 of 11. Penn State’s potential for a deep run is as clear as day. Don’t expect a national championship, as Las Vegas odds list the Nittany Lions at +10000. However, a Sweet 16 or Elite Eight berth is certainly on the table.
Poor defensive play has been a problem for the Nittany Lions for most of the season, ranking 95th in efficiency. However, PSU held Texas A&M to 33.9% shooting. More reason to back the Lions in sport bets. Penn State will need another all-around performance against Texas.
Penn State vs Texas Game Injuries
Penn State vs Texas Head-to-Head
Following its first win over Texas A&M, Penn State seeks its first win against Texas. The two programs have yet to meet.
Penn State vs Texas Game Information
- Game: Texas (27-8) vs Penn State (23-13)
- Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
- Day/Time: Saturday, March 18th, 7:45 p.m. ET
- Texas vs Penn State Live Stream: TBS.com
Penn State vs Texas Betting Lines
Penn State vs Texas Picks and Prediction
The college basketball odds’ point spread is quite surprising with Texas favored by 5½. For comparison, No. 1 seeds Houston and Kansas are favored by less on Saturday. The Longhorns’ perimeter defense comes off a good showing, but it ranks outside the top 80 in allowed 3-point percentage. Penn State will find success from beyond the arc, leading to a cover. The Lions are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five Saturday games and 4-1 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games.
However, Texas will escape with a win. Once again, Disu will be a difference-maker. His length on the inside could frustrate the Nittany Lions’ Pickett, who is a unique guard that often backs down defenders in the paint. In addition, Penn State’s defense is still a wild card while the Longhorns are 11th in defensive efficiency.
Texas is listed at -240 in our Las Vegas college basketball lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Longhorns, you have a chance to win $42. Penn State is +200, offering a chance to win $200 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Texas a 70.59% chance to win, with the Nittany Lions at 33.33%.
Penn State vs Texas Trends
Penn State vs Texas Edge
Penn State vs Texas Results
Penn State vs Texas Game Summary
