College Basketball Odds: Michigan at Penn State

Game Update: Michigan didn't hit one 3-pointer in the first half, but rallied in the second half to beat Penn State 64-55. (AP Images)

There’s little to choose from in college basketball on Thursday as all of the top schools are off to give the spotlight to the BCS National Championship Game. There is only one hoops game between BCS conference schools tonight and that’s also the lone game on national TV: Michigan at Penn State, with the Nittany Lions opening as 2-point favorites on Bodog’s college basketball odds.

Michigan (7-6, 3-6 ATS) has been one of the more disappointing teams in the nation so far, but it is coming off a quality win over then-No. 15 Ohio State on Saturday. The Wolverines have yet to win a true road game this season and are just 5-21 in true road games in Coach John Beilein’s three seasons.

The problem for both teams is depth. Michigan has two excellent players in Manny Harris (Big Ten-leading 19.8 ppg) and DeShawn Sims (16.7 ppg) but not much behind them -- Harris and Sims combined for 52 of Michigan’s 73 points in that upset of the Buckeyes. UM also relies heavily on the 3-pointer, as 43 percent of its field-goal attempts have come from behind the arc.

Penn State (8-6, 5-6-1), which won the NIT championship last season, has dropped its first two Big Ten games, including a rout at home to Wisconsin last time out. PSU has one of the best guards in the country in Talor Battle (18.8 ppg), but he’s the only Nittany Lion averaging double-figure points. In fact, Battle is a one-man show, leading the team in points, rebounding, assists, steals and minutes.

When deciding your college basketball bet on this one, PSU has won 12 of its past 15 Big Ten home games and two of the past three overall against Michigan. The Nittany Lions also like ESPN games, winning 12 of their past 16 on one of the networks.

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