College Hoops

Penn State vs. Texas, second round

Penn State vs. Texas, second round

Penn State will look to complete its Texas two-step into the Sweet 16 on Saturday evening when it faces the Texas Longhorns, champions of the Big 12. Fresh off a blowout of Texas A&M, Penn State is one win away from a miraculous run to the Sweet 16. Getting past Texas will be no easy task for the Nittany Lions, but this will be pretty familiar territory for Jalen Pickett and the rest of Penn State’s roster as they head into the second-round matchup in Des Moines, Iowa as the underdog.

The gameday odds from BetMGM list Penn State as a 5.5-point underdog against Texas. It is the sixth straight game where Penn State has been listed as the underdog, but the Nittany Lions have covered in every game and come out straight-up winners in five of their last six.

Here is a look at the updated odds and some other information to keep in mind heading into Saturday’s NCAA Basketball Tournament clash with the Longhorns. Here is how to watch the game.

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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM

  • Point spread: Texas -5.5
  • Penn State money line: +200
  • Texas money line: -250
  • Over-under: 138.5

Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.

Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State is 21-13-2 this year against the spread, covering the spread 61.8% of the time regardless of being the favorite or the underdog. Penn State has covered the spread in nine of its last 12 games, and has covered the spread in its last nine games as an underdog.

Texas is 18-17 this season against the spread, which could play to Penn State’s advantage with the number. The Longhorns have covered the spread in six consecutive games, including once as an underdog against Kansas in the Big 12 championship game. Texas has covered the spread the last five games it was favored.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

This is nothing new for Penn State at this point. For the sixth game in a row, Penn State is the underdog in the matchup in front of them. Texas is favored against the Nittany Lions in this second-round matchup, but Penn State has been on a respectable hot streak in this underdog role. But can it continue for another game to get to next weekend?

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Penn State has just a 21.1% chance of getting the win against the Longhorns, who have a solid 78.9% chance to win. But as Han Solo might say, never tell the Nittany Lions the odds.

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY…

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