Pittsburgh Panthers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Predictions

Pitt brings several early scoring threats

Pittsburgh and Penn State enter their neutral-site meeting at The Palestra with 2-0 records. Pitt is a 2.5-point favorite and -142 on the moneyline, while Penn State is +120 and the total is 154.5.

University of Pittsburgh Athletics reports that Pitt has scored at least 80 points in both games. Freshman Chase Foster has topped 20 points twice, Baye Ndongo had 23 points and a career-high 21 rebounds against Buffalo, and Naithan George has averaged 7.5 assists with 1.5 turnovers. That production makes Pitt the more likely winner, but two games aren't enough to justify paying -142.

Both teams have shown sharp swings

Pitt trailed Buffalo by 15 in the second half before outscoring the Bulls 48-16 after halftime in an 80-61 win. Penn State led Chattanooga 54-31 at halftime, then conceded 62 second-half points in a 97-93 victory. Those reversals make the 2.5-point spread and 154.5 total difficult to trust.

Pitt guard Timofei Rudovskii continues to rehabilitate from an injury, but University of Pittsburgh Athletics didn't provide his status for this game. No confirmed starters or other injury designations are available.

Betting outlook

Pitt is the outright pick because Foster, Ndongo and George have already supplied scoring, rebounding and ball distribution. The betting lean is Pass because the -142 moneyline asks too much on a small early-season sample, while the available evidence doesn't support a spread or total wager.