Penn St. Info
Head Coach: Pat Chambers
Location: University Park, PA
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Nittany Lions
Mascot: The Nittany Lion
Conference Record: 2-12
Typical Rotation Depth: 7+
Line: Penn St by 3
Player to watch: Lamar Stevens
The 6'8" 230# Roby sized PF is the Lions' leading scorer and rebounder. He's an inefficient scorer though he does a lot of damage at the FT line. Last time guarded Copeland and will switch to Roby.
Player to watch: Mike Watkins
The big center who has been a walking double-double most of his career has become a defensive liability to the point where Chambers will pull him when the other team isn't also playing a traditional center. This poses a big question for a Nebraska team that has been playing Tanner Borchardt 30 minutes a game: How long do you keep Tanner on the court if Watkins is abusing the matchup and who do you roll out in a small ball lineup?
KenPom explains the roster
PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Pct | |
1 |
14.9 |
|||||
2 | 11.0 |
That first lineup was a small ball lineup they used successfully against Michigan in their big upset.
- Myles Dread has been their most consistent 3pt shooter on a team full of bad 3pt shooters
- Josh Reaves is one of the best defenders in the country and a big part of why James Palmer has struggled against Penn St his entire career
- Rasir Bolton is the one guy you don't want to foul at the end of the game; shares psuedo PG duties with Reaves
- Wheeler is out there for depth/defense; not much of a thread to shoot or score
- 6'9" 243# Soph John Harrar is as dominant as Watkins but brings energy and rebounding
- Fr guard Myreon Jones doesn't play much but isn't afraid to shoot when on the court. Hasn't hit much
- Soph F Trent Buttrick is depth and energy
Miles Presser
Two takeaways
- Thought the team played "loose" (this means like crap) last time at home. FWIW we won that game 70-64
- Rotation is "8, maybe 9" That means that Nana is still on the outside looking in for now
The Skinny: Nebraska has found some tragic ways to lose in Penn St over the years so hopefully the law of averages takes over in what should be another hard fought, low scoring affair. Penn St is last in the conference with just 2 wins but most of their games have been close and their one win includes a recent take down of Michigan. Both teams can play small ball. How much will they and to whom is the advantage?
Defensively it's about keeping Penn St off the boards and very much trying not to foul; Penn St last game was able to stay in it despite terrible shooting because they had so many more shot attempts....they didn't win because of their limited FT attempts.
Offensively I think after their last matchup and the last game that Penn St will key on Isaiah Roby tonight. Seems like a good night for Glynn Watson and Tom Allen to make differences against this young back court.
This seems like a coin flip sort of game. Heads or Tails?
Prediction: Nebraska 66 - Penn St 65
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