Penn State Nittany Lions 8-18 (0-14) vs. (4) Michigan Wolverines 23-4 (10-4)
Where: Bryce Jordan Center
When: Wednesday, February 27, 6:30 pm
TV: BTN
Penn State is still looking for its first Big Ten win of the season, and it will be a big challenge to try and get it against Michigan. These teams played about 10 days ago at Michigan and Penn State gave them quite a scare, especially in the first half of that game. Penn State got balanced scoring from its starting lineup for the first time this season in that game. Sasa Borovnjak and Jermaine Marshall each had 17 points, Ross Travis and D.J. Newbill each collected 11 points, and Nick Colella scored 9. Getting the same production from these guys will be important in this game if Penn State wants any chance at this upset. I think that if Penn State scores in the mid-70′s of this game, they have a legitimate chance, especially at home.
In the previous meeting, Penn State out-rebounded Michigan 33-23, had more assists, and a better free throw percentage. However, Michigan won the game because Penn State enjoys fouling teams excessively, and that gets their players in foul trouble and sends the opposing team to the line nearly 40 times. The stat that decided the game: Michigan made 27 free throws, Penn State made 15.
Honestly, at this point, Penn State isn’t playing for much, and the rest of these games don’t really matter. It would be nice to pick up a win or two, however, especially an upset at home against a top 10 team. It would feel nice for them to end this exhausting, demoralizing, mentally draining 14 game losing streak.
My prediction: Penn State 63 Michigan 73
#PrayForPennStateHoops
