The Big Ten Tournament opens today when the Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have Penn State favored by a slim margin to pick up the win.

This is the 12/13 matchup for the Big Ten Tournament and the opening game for the conference championship. Penn State comes in having just picked up a win over Minnesota as D.J. Newbill connected for a 3-pointer as time expired,

Nebraska gave Maryland a pretty good run the other day as well, but ultimately lost for the eighth straight game. The Cornhuskers have been one of the most underachieving teams in all of college basketball this season and despite having some talent on the team, it’s hard to see them piecing it together now. Tim Miles has battled inconsistent play and an uphill battle offensively all season.

The question for today’s game is simple — does Nebraska show up looking to continue their season with a chance to salvage it or have the Huskers already packed it in? 

Penn State has to feel a bit spurned that Newbill didn’t make the All-Big Ten First Team despite leading the conference in scoring. The Nittany Lions were not a good basketball team this season, but Newbill was certainly deserving of being on the First Team. His 20.7 points per game make him the only player for Penn State to average double digits per game. 

These squads played just once earlier this season with Penn state picking up a 56-43 win at home. 

At this point, all signs have pointed to Nebraska checking out. The Huskers gave a very nice effort against Maryland on Sunday, but at this point a win in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament doesn’t look like the first step for the Huskers in this tournament.

Penn State has played well in three straight games despite going 1-2 in that time. The Nittany Lions send Nebraska home after this one.

Free Pick: Penn State 68, Nebraska 60

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