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Rutgers vs. Penn State prediction: Why Penn State is favored to win men's college basketball matchup [2/18/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
Get Rutgers vs Penn State predictions for college basketball Wednesday.
Penn State and Rutgers are scheduled to meet in men's college basketball action at Bryce Jordan Center on Wednesday, with tipoff at 6:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven college basketball model projects Penn State as the most likely winner of the Rutgers vs. Penn State game.
This article offers a closer look at Wednesday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and picks.
Rutgers vs. Penn State prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Wednesday's NCAA basketball matchup between Rutgers and Penn State 10,000 times as part of our men's college basketball predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives Penn State a 66% chance of beating Rutgers. Our predicted final score has Penn State winning 77-72.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and Rutgers and Penn State each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 148.5 points also has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Rutgers vs. Penn State odds
We have researched the best men's college basketball odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Rutgers | Penn State |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +4.5 (-105) | -4.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +180 | -218 |
| Total | o148.5 (-112) | u148.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Rutgers vs. Penn State picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Rutgers +4.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Rutgers | +180 |
| Total | Under 148.5 | -105 |
According to our men's college basketball best bets, the top play to make on this game is Rutgers +4.5 at the spread.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Rutgers vs. Penn State game-day updates and essential details
Wednesday's men's college basketball game between Penn State and Rutgers at Bryce Jordan Center is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM ET.
- Who: Rutgers vs. Penn State
- Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM ET/3:00PM PT
- Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
Conclusion
We predict Penn State, with a 66% win probability, will likely beat Rutgers on Wednesday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Rutgers vs. Penn State insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
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