Dave's College Basketball Picks, March 7: Penn State at Iowa

Penn State (21-9, 10-7) at Iowa (14-16, 4-13)

Line: Iowa -3

Penn State won a thriller against Illinois 64-63 on Thursday. Illinois controlled the first half and really was unlucky to be up just two at the half.

With six minutes to go in the game, it still appeared Illinois had this game won, but Penn State scrambled late and came out on top with a Talor Battle drive to the basket with .3 seconds left. The fans stormed the court after the emotional victory that was huge for the Nittany Lions chances of making the postseason tourney.

Iowa came up short 60-58 against Ohio State on Tuesday. The loss was their third in a row and fifth in the last six games. This game will close out a disappointing regular season for a young Iowa squad that will finish next to last in the Big Ten.

ATS-

Penn State is 14-9 against the spread including 6-5 on the road

Iowa is 15-10 against the spread including 7-4 at home

If we want to compare apples to apples, we can look at Iowa’s last home game, a two point loss to Ohio State. Penn State is a better team than Ohio State(with Lighty out) so it makes sense that Penn State covers. Iowa cannot move up or down in the standings as a result of this game, so the motivation factor is with Penn State.

Should be quite a few three-pointers shot, and I’ll side with the Nittany Lions in that contest. It is clear that Penn State has a go-to-guy as well if things get tight late.

Dave’s Pick: Penn State +3

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