Experience should count for something. Like most teams nowadays, the Penn State men’s basketball roster has had both additions and subtractions thanks to the NCAA’s transfer portal.
But with the season now upon us, Penn State’s projected starting lineup features four seniors and a junior. And that experience should count for something.
Penn State also has a new head coach, Micah Shrewsberry, who should bring fresh energy to the program.
Shrewsberry was most recently the associate head coach at Purdue and prior to that an assistant head coach with the Boston Celtics. He inherits a Penn State program that has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2011.
And a quick look at the odds suggests it will be an uphill climb to get back there this season. Here are some numbers from the best PA sports betting apps.
Penn State men’s basketball futures odds in PA (updated)
Penn State 2021-22 Big Ten Odds
In Big Ten futures odds, DraftKings Sportsbook ranks Penn State 12 out of 14 teams. The complete list is as follows:
- Michigan: +330
- Purdue: +330
- Ohio State: +500
- Illinois: +600
- Maryland: +900
- Michigan State: +900
- Indiana: +1400
- Rutgers: +2800
- Wisconsin: +3000
- Iowa: +5000
- Northwestern: +7000
- Penn State: +7000
- Nebraska: +15000
- Minnesota: +30000
Comparing Penn State’s Big Ten odds
Penn State odds to Make the 2022 Final Four
The top contenders for the Final Four at DraftKings are as follows:
- Gonzaga: +190
- Michigan: +330
- UCLA: +380
- Villanova: +380
Penn State’s odds are set at +25000, meaning every $1 bet would bring $250 in return.
Penn State NCAAB 2021-2022 Roster
Projected starters include:
- G Jaheam Cornwall, Sr.
- G Jalen Pickett, Sr.
- F Myles Dread, Sr.
- F Seth Lundy, Jr.
- C John Harrar, Sr.
Lundy averaged 10.1 points per game last year and figures to be one of the key contributors again this season. Harrar was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and averaged 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds last season. Cornwall is a transfer from Gardner-Webb, where he averaged 14.1 points per game a year ago.
Can I bet on NCAA Basketball Player Props in PA?
Sorry. You can’t bet on college basketball player props in PA. For example, no legal regulated sportsbook will offer markets on “Seth Lundy Over/Under 10 points” or “John Harrar Over/under 5 rebounds.”
All online sportsbooks in PA do offer other team props and other popular betting markets like moneyline, point spread, and point totals.
Penn State Men’s Basketball 2021-22 Schedule
Penn State opens the season on Wednesday with a home game against Youngstown State at 8:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. The other notable games on the Nittany Lions’ schedule include:
- 12/5: vs. No. 17 Ohio State
- 1/8: vs. No. 7 Purdue
- 1/16: at No. 17 Ohio State
- 2/8: vs. No. 6 Michigan
- 2/21: at No. 21 Maryland
- 3/3: at No. 3 Illinois
At present, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks have not posted season win totals for Penn State. However, WynnBet in New Jersey has posted totals for some prominent college basketball teams.
If the oddsmakers are right, Penn State has an uphill climb to reach its Big Ten counterparts this season.
But the Lions have a new coach on the sideline and some veteran players on the roster.
And we’ll soon find out if experience counts for something.
2022 NCAA Basketball Championship winner live odds
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Michael Conroy
