Butler vs. Penn State Prediction and Odds for Monday, November 14 (Trust Thad Matta's Group on Road)
By Reed Wallach
Two teams looking to take the next step as a program and get back to the NCAA Tournament meet in Happy Valley as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games on Monday night.
Butler is in the first year of the Thad Matta era and travels to Happy Valley to face Penn State, who has throttled a pair of mid majors in their opening two games. Despite not being as high of a profile matchup, this game has betting value, which we'll get to below with a full game preview.
Butler vs. Penn State Odds, Spread and Total
Butler vs. Penn State Prediction and Pick
Penn State rolled over the likes of Winthrop and Loyola (Maryland), but should see more resistance against a rejuvenated Butler squad with Matta at the helm. The team has veteran guard Chuck Harris running the offense and also has transfer big man Manny Bates, who should have a massive size advantage against an undersized Penn State frontcourt.
The NC State transfer stands 6'11" and should shut down the interior against a methodical Nittany Lions offense. Penn State plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country, last year they checked in at a bottom 10 rate under first year head coach Micah Sthrewsberry. With limited possessions and a low turnover rate last season, I expect that to show up in the game script against a legitimate club in Butler.
Penn State's pack line defense won't turn the likes of Harris and the Bulldogs over and the tempo will be slow, making it difficult for the team to win with margin and cover this spread.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.