The NC Central Eagles take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park, PA. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on BTN.
Penn State is favored by -22.5 points on the spread with the total set at 149.5 points.
Here’s my NC Central vs. Penn State predictions and college basketball picks for December 29, 2025.
NC Central vs Penn State Prediction
My Pick: Penn State -22.5 (Play to -24)
My NC Central vs Penn State best bet is on the Nittany Lions to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
NC Central vs. Penn State Odds
| NC Central Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+22.5 -110 | 149.5 -105o / -115u | OFF |
| Penn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-22.5 -110 | 149.5 -105o / -115u | OFF |
- NC Central vs Penn State spread: Penn State -22.5
- NC Central vs Penn State over/under: 149.5 points
NC Central vs Penn State College Basketball Betting Preview
NC Central Basketball
NC Central comes into this one 0-10 straight up against Division I opponents this season. LeVelle Moton’s group has been dreadful this season, ranking in the bottom five nationally in both 2-point shooting percentage and block percentage on offense.
The Eagles don’t have a lot of size in the post and therefore have relied on Gage Lattimore to create offense from deep or knock down mid-range jumpers.
Only two players (Lattimore and Khouri Carvey) are averaging more than seven points, and this team just hasn't found true consistency offensively this season.
The Eagles' defense hasn't provided a ton of resistance and NC Central will be outmatched in this matchup with Penn State. NC Central doesn't defend well without fouling and the Eagles are one of the worst teams in the country when it comes to allowing second-chance opportunities.
Penn State isn't a strong offensive rebounding team, so limiting those offensive rebounds will be important.
Penn State Basketball
Penn State comes into this game well rested, having played just one game over the last 15 days. The Nittany Lions will look to bounce back from an embarrassing 34-point loss against Pittsburgh last Sunday.
They really struggled shooting the ball against Pitt, as they went just 18-of-57 from the floor and never led in the contest. Freddie Dilione V continues to be a bright spot offensively for Penn State, but outside of his effort, there wasn't much to get excited about.
We should see a better effort and result for Penn State in its last non-conference game of the season, as it's squaring off against one of the worst defensive teams in the country.
Defensively, Penn State does an excellent job of forcing turnovers and empty possessions. The Nittany Lions are one of the most proficient teams in the country when it comes to forcing you deep into the possession clock and into bad shots.
This will be trouble for NC Central, which doesn't operate at a quick pace and often settles for low-percentage jumpers that it doesn't make.
NC Central vs. Penn State Betting Analysis
This line opened up Penn State -21.5 with a total set at 149.5, and I'm going to lay it with the Nittany Lions.
Penn State hasn’t played its best basketball of the season after getting humiliated by Indiana and Pitt, and it has had a lot of time to think about it. I would expect these guys to come out laser-focused.
NC Central cannot guard Dilione or Kayden Mingo, who are both capable of going off for 25 points. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Rhoades lets these guys run a little bit, too, especially after a long layoff and the fact that they're facing a MEAC team that should turn it over a ton.
NC Central really struggles shooting and could have issues taking care of the basketball in this matchup. Penn State ranks 62nd nationally in defensive turnover rate, and its pressure could really cause this one to get out of hand.
I expect run-outs and layups on the other end for Penn State more frequently than we've seen most of this season.
Penn State has a size advantage with Ivan Juric and Josh Reed, who will contest a lot of shots. We should see the paint issues NC Central has experienced this season to manifest themselves in this affair, so expect a block party for Penn State defensively.
I just don’t think NC Central will be efficient enough offensively to stay within the number. Penn State can pour it on you quickly, and I expect it to win and cover this number.
My Pick: Penn State -22.5 (Play to -24)
