Point Spread UPDATE: Line Swings 5 Points in Indiana's Favor vs. Penn State

It's been a crazy day watching the point spread on Indiana's game with Penn State on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament. There's been a wild 5-point swing in the line. Here's the latest on the point spread and a great history of both teams vs. the number this season.
Point Spread UPDATE: Line Swings 5 Points in Indiana's Favor vs. Penn State
Point Spread UPDATE: Line Swings 5 Points in Indiana's Favor vs. Penn State /

Updated 8:50 p.m. ET, March 14, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, Ind. —  It's been a crazy day watching the point spread on Indiana's game with Penn State on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament. There's been a wild 5-point swing in the line.

Indiana, the No. 6 seed in this week's Big Ten Tournament, is now a 2,.5-point favorite at tipoff over Penn State, the No. 11 seed. Oddsmakers seemed to care more about about in-season results than seedings with their opening line because the Nittany Lions, who swept Indiana this season, were a 2.5-point favorite according to the SISportsbook.com gambling website at 6 a.m. ET. It's changed dramatically.

The over/under opened at 151.5, and has dropped all the way to 146.5.

The line has moved a lot because Indiana closed out the regular season in style, winning four straight games — all as underdogs. They're feeling good about themselves entering postseason play, and they're talking about making a run here at the Target Center.

Penn State has been a thorn in the side of Indiana for several years now. This year has been particularly bad. Indiana's worst loss all season — at least by the numbers — was against Penn State on Feb. 3 at Assembly Hall, where the Nittany Lions won by 14 points (85-71) even though the Hoosiers were a 6.5-point favorite.

Three weeks later, Indiana traveled to Penn State and it was more of the same, with the Nittany Lions winning 83-74 as a 3.5-point favorite.

This bad pairing for Indiana was on full display last year, too. Penn State beat Indiana 85-66 at home in January, making 18 threes in a dismal defensive display by the Hoosiers. Then the Nittany Lions got them again in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, winning 77-73 when Indiana's perimeter players — Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trey Galloway and Miller Kopp — were a combined 9-for-27 shooting, just 33 percent. 

Indiana's last win in the series came on Jan. 26, 2022, but they also lost the earlier meeting that season. Mike Woodson is just 1-5 against Penn State in his three-year career at Indiana.

Penn State — which is 9-3 vs. the spread in its last 12 games — won Wednesday night, beating Michigan, so we'll see how they hold up playing back-to-back nights. Indiana is dealing with injury concerns, with Galloway forced to miss most of the Michigan State win with a knee injury.

Indiana had no comment when asked about his status, but he was not on the floor for warmups.

The game starts at approximately 9 p.m. ET. It's the second game on Thursday night, following the Iowa-Ohio State matchup. For all of the information on how to watch and a great preview of the game from HoosiersNow.com writer Jack Ankony, CLICK HERE 

Here's what Indiana has done against the spread so far this season.

Indiana by the numbers

  • Indiana overall record: 18-13
  • Indiana overall vs. spread: 15-16
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  • Indiana home record: 12-5
  • Indiana home vs. spread: 9-8
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  • Indiana road record: 4-6
  • Indiana road vs spread: 5-5
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  • Indiana neutral court record: 2-2
  • Indiana neutral court vs. spread: 1-3
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  • Indiana record as favorite: 10-3
  • Indiana vs. spread as favorite: 5-8
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  • Indiana record as underdog: 8-10
  • Indiana vs. spread as underdog: 10-8
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  • Indiana over total: 17
  • Indiana under total: 14

For every game, we'll give you a complete rundown on what both teams have done against the spread. We'll have final scores, what they did versus the spread and what happened with the over/under totals.

Indiana results vs. spread this season

Here's what Indiana has done this season, straight up and against the spread:

  • Nov. 7 — Beat Florida Gulf Coast 69-63 at home as an 11.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (132) went under the 142.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 12 — Beat Army 72-64 at home as a 25.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (138) went over the 134.5 total.
  • Nov. 16 — Beat Wright State 89-80 at home as a 15.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (169) went far over the 146.5 total.
  • Nov. 19 — Lost to No. 5 Connecticut 77-57 at Madison Square Garden in New York as a 12.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (134) went under the 146.5 total.
  • Nov. 20 — Beat Louisville 74-66 at Madison Square Garden in New York as an 8.5-point favorite at tipoff (did not cover). The score (140) went under the 146.5 total.
  • Nov. 26 — Beat Harvard 89-76 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as an 7.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (165) went far over the 140.5 total.
  • Dec. 1 — Beat Maryland 65-53 at home as a 3.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (116) went far under the 136.5 total.
  • Dec. 5 — Won at Michigan 78-75 as a 6.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (153) went over the 144.5 total.
  • Dec. 9 — Lost to Auburn 104-76 in Atlanta as a 6.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (180) went far over the 147.5 total.
  • Dec. 16 — Lost to No. 2 Kansas 75-71 at home as a 7.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (146) went under the 147.5 total.
  • Dec. 19 — Beat Morehead State 69-68 at home as a 12.5-point favorite at tipoff (did not cover). The score (137) went under the 141.5 total.
  • Dec. 21 — Beat North Alabama 83-66 at home as a 13.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (149) went over the 147.5 total.
  • Dec. 29 — Beat Kennesaw State 100-87 at home as a 12.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (187) went over the 15.5 total.
  • Jan. 3 — Lost at Nebraska 86-70 as a 3.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (156) went over the 151.5 total.
  • Jan. 6 — Beat Ohio State 71-65 at home as a 1.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (136) went under the 147.5 total.
  • Jan. 9 — Lost at Rutgers 66-57 as a 2.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (123) went under the 140.5 total.
  • Jan. 12 — Beat Minnesota 74-62 as a 3.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (136) went under the 147.5 total.
  • Jan. 16 — Lost to No. 2 Purdue 87-66 at home as a 9.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (153) went over the 151.5 total.
  • Jan. 19 — Lost at No. 11 Wisconsin 91-79 as an 11.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (180) went over the 141.5 total.
  • Jan. 27 — Lost at Illinois 70-62 as a 14.5-point underdog at tipoff (coverede). The score (132) went under the 154.5 total.
  • Jan. 30 — Beat Iowa 74-68 as a 1.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (142) went under the 160.5 total.
  • Feb. 3 — Lost to Penn State 85-71 as a 6.5-point favorite at tipoff (did not cover). The score (156) went over the 150.5 total.
  • Feb. 6 — Won at Ohio State 76-73 as an 6.5-point underdog at tipoff (cover). The score (149) went over the 143.5 total.
  • Feb. 10 — Lost at No. 2 Purdue 79-59 as an 18.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (138) went under the 138.5 total.
  • Feb. 18 — Lost to Northwestern 76-72 at home as a 2.5-point favorite at tipoff (did not cover). The score (148) went over the 139.5 total.
  • Feb. 21 — Lost to Nebraska 85-70 at home as a 2.5-point favorite at tipoff (did not cover). The score (155) went over the 150.5 total.
  • Feb. 24— Lost at Penn State 83-74 as a 3.5-point underdog at tipoff (did not cover). The score (157) went over the 151.5 total.
  • Feb. 27 — Beat Wisconsin 74-70 at home as a 4.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (144) went over the 140.5 total.
  • March 3 — Won at Maryland 83-78 as an 8.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (161) went over the 136.5 total.
  • March 6 — Won at Minnesota 70-58 as an 5.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (128) went under the 149.5 total.
  • March — Beat Michigan State 65-64 at home as a 3.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (129) went under the 141.5 total.

Penn State results vs. spread this season

Penn State is 16-16 overall and finished 9-11 in the Big Ten. They are 4-2 in their last six games.

The Nittany Lions opened the season ranked No. 85 in the Kenpom.com computer rankings. Now they're at No. 77 as of Thursday morning. Indiana, by the way, is at No. 87, up 16 spots since the start of their winning streak. Indiana started the season ranked No. 49

Penn State is 17-15 against the spread this season, but they are 9-3 vs. the number in  Big Ten games since Jan. 31. So far, 21 of their 32 games have gone over the total.

Here's what the Nittany Lions has done this season, straight up and against the spread:

  • Nov. 6 — Beat Delaware State 79-45 at home as a 19.5-point favorite (covered). The score (124) went under the 138.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 10— Beat Lehigh 74-65 at home as a 17.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (139) went under the 147.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 14 — Beat St. Francis (Pa.) 83-53 at home as a 31.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (136) went under the 139.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 17— Beat Morehead State 74-51 at home as an 12.5-point favorite (covered). The score (125) went under the 136.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 23 — Lost to No. 12 Texas A&M 89-77 at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla. Diego, Calif., as a 7.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (166) went over the 137.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 24 — Lost to Butler 88-78 at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla. Diego, Calif., as a 1.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (166) went over the 144.5 over/under total.
  • Nov. 26 — Lost to VCU 86-74 at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla. Diego, Calif., as a 2.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (160) went over the 138.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 2 — Lost to Bucknell 76-67 at home as a 21.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (143) went over the 141.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 6 — Lost at Maryland 81-75 as an 8.5-point underdog (covered). The score (156) went over the 141.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 9— Beat Ohio State 83-80 at home as a 4.5-point underdog (covered). The score (163) went over the 147.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 16 — Lost at Georgia Tech 82-81 in overtime at Madison Square Garden in New York as a 2.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (156) went over the 141.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 21— Beat LeMoyne 72-55 at home as a 19.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (127) went under the 154.5 over/under total.
  • Dec. 29— Beat Rider 90-63 at home as a 15.5-point favorite (covered). The score (153) went over the 148.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 4 — Lost at Michigan State 92-61 as an 13.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (153) went over the 144.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 7— Beat Michigan 79-73 at home as a 3.5-point underdog (covered). The score (152) went under the 154.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 10— Lost to Northwestern 76-72 at home as a 1.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (148) went over the 143.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 13— Lost at No. 1 Purdue 95-78 as an 18.5-point underdog (covered). The score (173) went over the 151.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 16— Beat Wisconsin 87-83 at home as a 5.5-point underdog (covered). The score (169) went over the 144.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 20— Lost at Ohio State 79-67 as a 9.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (146) went under the 151.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 27— Lost to Minnesota 83-74 at home as a 3.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (157) went over the 151.5 over/under total.
  • Jan. 31— Won at Rutgers 61-46 as a 6.5-point underdog (covered). The score (107) went under the 144.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 3 — Won at Indiana 85-71 as a 6.5-point underdog at tipoff (covered). The score (156) went over the 150.5 total.
  • Feb. 8— Beat Iowa 89-79 at home as a 1.5-point underdog (covered). The score (168) went over the 162.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 11— Lost at Northwestern 68-63 as a 7.5-point underdog (covered). The score (131) went under the 146.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 14— Lost to Michigan State 80-72 at home as a 2.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (152) went over the 142.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 17— Lost at Nebraska 68-49 as a 8.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (117) went under the 153.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 21— Beat Illinois 90-89 at home as a 7.5-point underdog (covered). The score (179) went over the 156.5 over/under total.
  • Feb. 24— Beat Indiana 83-74 at home as a 3.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (157) went over the 151.5 total.
  • Feb. 27— Lost at Iowa 90-81 as an 8.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (171) went over the 162.5 over/under total.
  • March 2— Lost at Minnesota 75-70 as a 6.5-point underdog (covered). The score (145) went under the 151.5 over/under total.
  • March 10 — Beat Maryland 85-69 at home as a 1.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (174) went over the 143.5 total.
  • March 13 — Beat Michigan 66-57 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis as a 6.5-point favorite at tipoff (covered). The score (123) went under the 149.5 total.

Published
Tom Brew
TOM BREW

Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of America's finest newspapers as a reporter and editor, including the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, the Indianapolis Star and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered college sports in the digital platform for the past six years, including the last five years as publisher of HoosiersNow on the FanNation/Sports Illustrated network.