Matchup: Minnesota 15-3 (3-2) at Penn State 10-7 (2-2)
Location: Bryce Jordan Center - University Park, Pennsylvania
Game Time: 11:00 a.m.
TV: ESPN U
Radio: 1500 ESPN Radio
About Penn State: The Nittany Lions have a much more talented team than they had a year ago. They were bolstered by a top 25 recruiting class that featured a trio of Philadelphia natives Tony Carr, Lamar Stevens, and Nazeer Bostick. Four-Star recruit Mike Watkins is the top big man for Penn State this year, and he is a redshirt freshman who sat out the season last year because he was not cleared to play by the NCAA. He is averaging 10 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks this season and is a powerful finisher around the rim.
The Nittany Lions have improved dramatically since the beginning of the season as they have figured out how to play together and Coach Pat Chambers has sorted out the rotation with so many young pieces. They had a relatively challenging non-conference slate that they ended up finishing 8-5 in, with losses to Duke, Cincinnati, Albany, George Mason, and Pittsburgh. In Big Ten play, they have started 2-2, with wins against Rutgers on the road and Michigan State at the Palestra. They lost to Northwestern by 10 to open conference play and blew a 14 point lead in the 2nd half to lose at Michigan a couple weeks back. Their rotation features 5 players who average between 10 and 12.8 points per game, so there is great balance there in the scoring department. Their rotation typically goes 9 or 10 deep, with 8 guys averaging at least 14 minutes per game.
Projected Starters:
G: Shep Garner (Jr.) 12.8 ppg, 2.6 reb, 2.9 assts, 38.7 FG%, 35.6 3P%
G: Josh Reaves (Soph.) 8.3 ppg, 4.5 reb, 2.7 assts, 45.9 FG%, 28.0 3P%
G: Tony Carr (Fresh.) 11.5 ppg, 5.4 reb, 3.8 assts, 36 FG%, 35.0 3P%
F: Lamar Stevens (Fresh.) 12.7 ppg, 5.9 reb, 1.9 assts, 48.4 FG%
C: Julian Moore (Jr..) 2.6 ppg, 3.1 reb, 0.8 bpg, 39.1 FG%
6th Man: Payton Banks (Jr.) 12.0 ppg, 2.4 reb, 1.3 assts, 40.5 FG%, 40.4 3P%
Penn State beat up Michigan State from tip to finish at The Palestra last weekend. They didn't do anything crazy as they hit just 26% of their 3's and 62% of their free throws. What they did do is defend the heck out of Michigan State's perimeter players and force them into difficult shots while the Spartans also committed 17 turnovers. Ward (16 points) and Nairn (13 points) were the only Spartans in double figures. Penn State is at its best when they are playing as a team and sharing the ball to get great looks around the hoop. They aren't a great three point shooting team but they have several guys that can beat you from deep if they aren't checked. The Gophers are going to have to do a much better job defending on the perimeter if they are going to get consistent stops and protect Reggie Lynch inside, who has fouled out in 4/5 Big Ten games so far. That is a huge emphasis for Coach Pitino and company, and I'm sure his players heard him loud in clear at practice after the Michigan State game. After getting pounded by the Nittany Lions last Saturday, Michigan State responded emphatically and played a great game against Minnesota on Wednesday. Pitino needs to get his players to do the same if they are going to leave Happy Valley with a victory today.
Vegas Odds: Minnesota by 2.5
Team Rankings: Penn State by 1.5
Number Fire: Minnesota 72.10 Penn State 70.98; Minnesota has a 54.8% Chance of Winning
DRatings: Minnesota wins by 4; Minnesota with a 59.8% Chance of Winning
Location: Bryce Jordan Center - University Park, Pennsylvania
Game Time: 11:00 a.m.
TV: ESPN U
Radio: 1500 ESPN Radio
About Penn State: The Nittany Lions have a much more talented team than they had a year ago. They were bolstered by a top 25 recruiting class that featured a trio of Philadelphia natives Tony Carr, Lamar Stevens, and Nazeer Bostick. Four-Star recruit Mike Watkins is the top big man for Penn State this year, and he is a redshirt freshman who sat out the season last year because he was not cleared to play by the NCAA. He is averaging 10 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks this season and is a powerful finisher around the rim.
The Nittany Lions have improved dramatically since the beginning of the season as they have figured out how to play together and Coach Pat Chambers has sorted out the rotation with so many young pieces. They had a relatively challenging non-conference slate that they ended up finishing 8-5 in, with losses to Duke, Cincinnati, Albany, George Mason, and Pittsburgh. In Big Ten play, they have started 2-2, with wins against Rutgers on the road and Michigan State at the Palestra. They lost to Northwestern by 10 to open conference play and blew a 14 point lead in the 2nd half to lose at Michigan a couple weeks back. Their rotation features 5 players who average between 10 and 12.8 points per game, so there is great balance there in the scoring department. Their rotation typically goes 9 or 10 deep, with 8 guys averaging at least 14 minutes per game.
Projected Starters:
G: Shep Garner (Jr.) 12.8 ppg, 2.6 reb, 2.9 assts, 38.7 FG%, 35.6 3P%
G: Josh Reaves (Soph.) 8.3 ppg, 4.5 reb, 2.7 assts, 45.9 FG%, 28.0 3P%
G: Tony Carr (Fresh.) 11.5 ppg, 5.4 reb, 3.8 assts, 36 FG%, 35.0 3P%
F: Lamar Stevens (Fresh.) 12.7 ppg, 5.9 reb, 1.9 assts, 48.4 FG%
C: Julian Moore (Jr..) 2.6 ppg, 3.1 reb, 0.8 bpg, 39.1 FG%
6th Man: Payton Banks (Jr.) 12.0 ppg, 2.4 reb, 1.3 assts, 40.5 FG%, 40.4 3P%
Penn State beat up Michigan State from tip to finish at The Palestra last weekend. They didn't do anything crazy as they hit just 26% of their 3's and 62% of their free throws. What they did do is defend the heck out of Michigan State's perimeter players and force them into difficult shots while the Spartans also committed 17 turnovers. Ward (16 points) and Nairn (13 points) were the only Spartans in double figures. Penn State is at its best when they are playing as a team and sharing the ball to get great looks around the hoop. They aren't a great three point shooting team but they have several guys that can beat you from deep if they aren't checked. The Gophers are going to have to do a much better job defending on the perimeter if they are going to get consistent stops and protect Reggie Lynch inside, who has fouled out in 4/5 Big Ten games so far. That is a huge emphasis for Coach Pitino and company, and I'm sure his players heard him loud in clear at practice after the Michigan State game. After getting pounded by the Nittany Lions last Saturday, Michigan State responded emphatically and played a great game against Minnesota on Wednesday. Pitino needs to get his players to do the same if they are going to leave Happy Valley with a victory today.
Vegas Odds: Minnesota by 2.5
Team Rankings: Penn State by 1.5
Number Fire: Minnesota 72.10 Penn State 70.98; Minnesota has a 54.8% Chance of Winning
DRatings: Minnesota wins by 4; Minnesota with a 59.8% Chance of Winning
