Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Picks, Prediction, Odds and Line Movement for Tuesday, January 6, 2026
It’s a Big Ten contest on the hardwood in the Keystone State as the #2 Michigan Wolverines take on the Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday night and we have you covered with our Michigan vs. Penn State prediction. Michigan remained unbeaten as they whipped USC 96-66 at home Friday night, covering the line as a 22.5-point favorite, in their previous contest. Penn State fell 73-65 to #20 Illinois at The Palestra in Philadelphia Saturday, covering the line as a 15-point underdog, in their previous game. In the all-time series between the programs, the Wolverines own a 40-17 advantage, including a 76-72 home win in the most recent matchup January 27, 2025. Read more about this Michigan vs. Penn State prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
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Wolverines Seeking to Keep Rolling
Michigan rung up their 10th straight win by at least 18 points as they trounced USC at home Friday night in their previous contest. The Wolverines improved to 13-0 overall and stand 3-0 in the Big Ten, leaving them tied for the top spot in the conference. Against USC, Michigan scored the game’s first 11 points and controlled the contest from there. Michigan led 49-31 at the half and led by as many as 30 en route to the victory. The Wolverines shot 47.7% from the field, including six of 30 from beyond the arc, and forced 21 USC turnovers in the victory. Morez Johnson Jr. led Michigan with 29 points and six boards in the win.
The Wolverines are 2nd in the nation in scoring offense as they put up an average of 96.7 points per game on the season. Michigan grabs an average of 44.6 rebounds per contest on the season while ranking 3rd in assists by dishing out 21.2 dimes a night. The Wolverines are above average on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 35th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 66.5 points per contest. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Wolverines as he puts up 15.1 points and seven rebounds a night this season. Roddy Gayle Jr. (10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds) and Morez Johnson Jr. (14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds) are solid secondary scoring options. Trey McKenney (10.8 points), Aday Mara (10.5 points, 8.1 rebounds), Nimari Burnett, Elliott Cadeau, L.J. Cason, Will Tschetter, Winters Grady and Oscar Goodman have to contribute for coach Dusty May. Michigan shoots 53.1% from the field as a team this season, putting them 2nd in Division I. The Wolverines drain an average of 10.2 three-pointers a night while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc on the year. Michigan is average at the free throw line this season, hitting 71.3% of their attempts at the line, putting them 198th in the country.
Key Injury Report for Michigan:
- No Key Injuries
Penn State Looking to Spring Upset at Home
Penn State battled but fell short against #20 Illinois at the Palestra in their previous contest. The Nittany Lions fell to 9-5 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten on the year. Against Illinois, Penn State gave up the first seven points of the game and by as many as 14 multiple times in the first half, including at intermission. The Nittany Lions never made a serious push the rest of the way as they ended up with the loss. Penn State shot 34.8% from the field, including eight of 38 from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle 48-37 in the game. Kayden Mingo led the Nittany Lions with 16 points, five assists and four steals in the loss.
The Nittany Lions are putting up 78.1 points per game this season, which has them 164th in the nation in scoring offense. Penn State collects 31.1 rebounds per game (351st) while dishing out 13.7 assists (230th) a night. The Nittany Lions are average defensively, allowing 74.2 points per game, leaving them 205th in the nation in scoring defense. Kayden Mingo leads the team and is one of three players averaging in double figures with 14.9 points per game. Melih Tunca (10.6 points, 2.9 assists), Freddie Dilione V (14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds), Josh Reed (8.4 points) and Dominick Stewart each are solid secondary scorers. Ivan Juric, Eli Rice, Tibor Mirtic, Sasa Ciani and Mason Blackwood are all key rotation pieces for the Nittany Lions. Penn State shoots 47.7% from the field as a team this season, putting them 81st in Division I. The Nittany Lions sink 7.4 triples a night (238th in Division I) while shooting 33.4% from beyond the arc this season. Penn State is mediocre at the free throw line as they hit 71.7% as a team, which is 245th in the nation.
Key Injury Report for Penn State:
- No Key Injuries
Michigan vs. Penn State Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Michigan vs. Penn State Moneyline Pick
- Michigan -24.5 (4 units)
Penn State is the home team here but they come into this contest 0-3 in Big Ten action with losses to Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State. The Nittany Lions are going to be hard-pressed to keep up with the Wolverines, who have been a wrecking ball of late, dismantling their last 10 foes by at least 18 points, including Auburn, Gonzaga, Villanova and USC. Michigan is a deep, talented, explosive team that is capable of shutting down opposing teams. The Wolverines are 2-0 on the road and 3-0 on neutral floors this season. Michigan proves to be too much to handle as Penn State suffers a fourth straight loss.
Michigan vs. Penn State Over/Under Pick
- Over 163.5 (4 units)
Michigan has seen the under post a 7-6 mark in their 13 games on the year. The Wolverines are first in defensive efficiency, first in effective field goal percentage defense (40.6%), first in field goal percentage defense (34.6%), first in two-point defense (38.5%) and fourth in the nation in rebounding. Michigan is 4th in tempo with 75.3 possessions a night. Penn State is 93rd in offensive efficiency, 86th in effective field goal percentage (53.9%), 7th in turnover percentage (13.3%), 81st in field goal percentage, 93rd in two-point shooting (56.1%) and 207th in three-point shooting. The Nittany Lions are 185th in tempo with 68.5 possessions a night. Penn State has seen the under post a 7-7 mark on the year. The Wolverines have been held under 85 points just once this season and Penn State can’t keep them in check either. Take the over in this contest as a result.
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