Penn State Nittany Lions vs Utah Utes Point Spread Picks

You need defense this time of the season and fourth-seeded Penn State is not a great defensive team at seventh in points allowed in the Big 10, and eighth in field goal shooting defense. They allowed 80 points and 45.9% shooting to Marquette two games ago, including 41.4% from three-point land. On offense the Nittany Lions rank #10 in the Big 10 from the free throw line (.697%). They face a second-seeded Utah squad that was tops in the Pac-12 in points allowed, plus third in field goal shooting defense at .429%. The Utes beat Western Kentucky 69-64 on Tuesday, shooting .479 percent from the field while limiting the Hilltoppers to .348. On offense, they are balanced and are much better from the charity stripe, coming in at fourth in the Pac-12 shooting 75%. The Utes (18-11-3 ATS) are on a 10-2 SU, 8-3-1 ATS run, including winning the last two games over St. Mary's and Western Kentucky as a dog each time. Take the points and play Utah.