Michigan State Edges Penn State in Close Contest
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 12:00 PM ET · Bryce Jordan Center
Michigan State Spartans 76, Penn State Nittany Lions 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Michigan State Spartans vs Penn State Nittany Lions?
Michigan State Spartans beat Penn State Nittany Lions 76-72 at Bryce Jordan Center on December 13, 2025.
Who was favored in Michigan State Spartans vs Penn State Nittany Lions?
Michigan State Spartans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -850 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Michigan State Spartans narrowly defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions with a final score of 76-72 at the Bryce Jordan Center on December 13, 2025. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Michigan State continuing their strong season while Penn State faced a challenging loss.
Entering this game, Michigan State held a solid away record of 9-1, while Penn State had an 8-3 record overall. The Spartans had been performing well, with an average of 76.3 points scored and only 62.6 points allowed in their last ten games, despite a recent loss to Duke. Conversely, Penn State had an average of 82.0 points scored and 74.3 points allowed in their last ten games, but they were on a one-game losing streak after a heavy defeat against Indiana.
At home, Penn State had a record of 6-1, demonstrating their strength at the Bryce Jordan Center. However, they struggled to maintain momentum against a formidable opponent like Michigan State. The Spartans, on the other hand, boasted a perfect away record of 3-0, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.
The teams had met previously in the 2025 season, where Michigan State also emerged victorious with a score of 90-85. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as Penn State sought to avenge their earlier defeat.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any particular players missing from either roster, indicating that both teams were likely at full strength for this crucial game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Michigan State with a spread of -12.5, reflecting their strong performance throughout the season. The total points set for the game was 145.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.
Conditions during the game were typical for a December evening in Pennsylvania, with a lively crowd at the Bryce Jordan Center adding to the electric atmosphere. Fans were treated to a display of skill and strategy as both teams fought for every point.
Key moments in the game included several scoring plays that highlighted both teams' offensive capabilities. Divine Ugochukwu made significant contributions for Michigan State, including two crucial three-point jumpers that helped extend their lead in the second half. His performance was complemented by Jeremy Fears Jr., who not only assisted Ugochukwu but also made key free throws down the stretch. For Penn State, Freddie Dilione V attempted to rally his team with a jumper and a three-pointer, but it ultimately fell short as time ran out.
As the final buzzer sounded, Michigan State celebrated their hard-fought victory, while Penn State was left to regroup after a disappointing result at home. This game further solidified Michigan State's position as a strong contender in the NCAAB landscape, while Penn State will need to address their recent struggles to remain competitive in upcoming fixtures.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MSU -12.5 | 145.5 o -108 / u -112 | Michigan State Spartans -850 · Penn State Nittany Lions +575 |
Leaders
- PointsFreddie Dilione V23Penn State Nittany Lions
- AssistsKayden Mingo8Penn State Nittany Lions
- ReboundsKayden Mingo7Penn State Nittany Lions
- PointsDivine Ugochukwu23Michigan State Spartans
- AssistsJeremy Fears Jr.9Michigan State Spartans
- ReboundsJaxon Kohler12Michigan State Spartans
Recent form
Penn State Nittany Lions
Last 10: 8-2Streak L182 scored · 74.3 allowed per game6-1 at home
- L72-113at Indiana HoosiersDec 10
- W87-76vs Campbell Fighting CamelsDec 2
- W90-59vs Sacred Heart PioneersNov 29
- W96-87vs Boston University TerriersNov 26
- L65-77vs Providence FriarsNov 22
- W84-80vs Harvard CrimsonNov 19
- W83-69at La Salle ExplorersNov 15
- W80-71vs Navy MidshipmenNov 11
- W87-43at New Haven ChargersNov 8
- W76-68vs Fairfield StagsNov 4
Michigan State Spartans
Last 10: 8-2Streak L176.3 scored · 62.6 allowed per game3-0 away
- L60-66vs Duke Blue DevilsDec 6
- W71-52vs Iowa HawkeyesDec 3
- W74-58at North Carolina Tar HeelsNov 27
- W89-56at East Carolina PiratesNov 25
- W84-56vs Detroit Mercy TitansNov 21
- W83-66at Kentucky WildcatsNov 18
- W79-60vs San José State SpartansNov 13
- W69-66vs Arkansas RazorbacksNov 9
- W80-69vs Colgate RaidersNov 4
- L74-77vs Wisconsin BadgersMar 15
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Michigan State Spartans | Penn State Nittany Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-52 | 28-66 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 10-18 | 8-29 |
| Three-point % | 56 | 28 |
| Free throws | 18-21 | 8-9 |
| Free throw % | 86 | 89 |
| Rebounds | 40 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 18 |
| Assists | 14 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 10 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 4 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 34 |
| Fouls | 13 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 57 | 33 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-41Josh Reed made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half43-41Divine Ugochukwu made Layup.
- 2nd Half45-41Cam Ward made Layup. Assisted by Jeremy Fears Jr..
- 2nd Half46-41Kur Teng made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-41Kur Teng made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half50-41Jordan Scott made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jeremy Fears Jr..
- 2nd Half51-41Jordan Scott made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-43Kayden Mingo made Jumper.
- 2nd Half51-45Eli Rice made Layup.
- 2nd Half51-46Eli Rice made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-49Ivan Juric made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kayden Mingo.
- 2nd Half51-52Freddie Dilione V made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kayden Mingo.
- 2nd Half52-52Jesse McCulloch made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half53-52Jesse McCulloch made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half55-52Jeremy Fears Jr. made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-54Melih Tunca made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half58-54Divine Ugochukwu made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jeremy Fears Jr..
- 2nd Half58-56Freddie Dilione V made Jumper.
- 2nd Half58-58Kayden Mingo made Layup.
- 2nd Half58-60Freddie Dilione V made Layup. Assisted by Kayden Mingo.
- 2nd Half59-60Carson Cooper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half60-60Carson Cooper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half60-62Saša Ciani made Jumper.
- 2nd Half62-62Carson Cooper made Layup.
- 2nd Half62-64Eli Rice made Layup.
- 2nd Half62-65Eli Rice made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half63-65Jeremy Fears Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-65Jeremy Fears Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-66Freddie Dilione V made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-67Freddie Dilione V made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half65-67Carson Cooper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-67Carson Cooper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-67Divine Ugochukwu made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jeremy Fears Jr..
- 2nd Half72-67Divine Ugochukwu made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jeremy Fears Jr..
- 2nd Half73-67Jeremy Fears Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-69Freddie Dilione V made Jumper.
- 2nd Half74-69Jeremy Fears Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half74-72Freddie Dilione V made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kayden Mingo.
- 2nd Half75-72Divine Ugochukwu made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-72Divine Ugochukwu made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours Penn State Nittany Lions, below favours Michigan State Spartans.
Venue
- Bryce Jordan CenterUniversity Park, PA
- Attendance7091
- OfficialsTim Comer, Kelly Pfeifer, John Floyd
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond