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    tcp reacted to hhcmatt for a article, Game Day Essentials: Game #1 vs Lindenwood   
    Lindenwood

     
    Head Coach: Kyle Gerdeman (5th year)
    Location: St Charles, Missouri
    Conference: Ohio Valley Conference
    Nickname: Lions
    Mascot:     Leo the Lion
    Last time out: Last year went 
    Shirt not to wear: Gold, Black, University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff gear
    Opening Line: Nebraska by 21
    Nota bene:  
    This is the first ever meeting in Men's basketball between Lindenwood and Nebraska The Lions lost 5 of their top 6 leading scorers from 2022-23 (Keenon Cole returns).  The new team spent time gelling on a summer trip to Italy. Prior to becoming the head coach at Lindenwood, Kyle Gerderman was an assistant under Keno Davis at Central Michigan This is Lindenwood's 2nd year as a D-1 school though the school as claim to being the 'Second oldest higher-education institution west of the Mississippi River', originally founded as 'The Lindenwood School for Girls' in 1832. (St Louis University was founded in 1812) Prior to moving to D-1, Lindenwood was a D-2 school from 2010 to 2021. Prior to that time they competed as a NAIA school. St Charles is a suburb of St Louis  
    Player to watch: Keenon Cole
    Cole is a small ball center/forward who shot 46% from 3 last season. Capable of scoring from all 3 levels; foul prone
     
    Others to watch
    Darius Beane -Spent last season sitting out due to transfer rules; driving scorer, poor 3pt shooter; appears to be a combo guard attempting to play PG Keith Haymon - 6'7" transfer from Northern Arizona is Keenon Cole lite Amoro Lado - 6'4" transfer from Hawaii slotted to start at guard Jaylon McDaniel - the 6'7" 230# juco product appears to be the starting center per Lindenwood's game notes.  Isaac Ondekane - Clocks in at 6'8" 275. You'll know it if he's on the court; another juco product Colin Ruffin - Freshman pg from local new powerhouse Link Academy who might get some run Jordan Wildy - *OUT WITH ACL TEAR* - The former Iona recruit for Rick Pitino and juco product seemed like he's be a big contributor to the Lion's backcourt before tearing his ACL this summer during a practice  
    UNL Game Notes
     
    Roster/infirmary report
     
    CONFIRMED OUT
    5   Ahron Ulis     6-3    190 lbs    Junior - Waiting to hear from NCAA re gambling
    15  Blaise Keita     6-11    257 lbs    Junior - Ongoing ankle injury recovery
    4   Juwan Gary     6-6    221 lbs    Junior - Violation of team rules
    30   Keisei Tominaga           6-2    179 lbs    Senior
     
    Possible starters for Nebraska
    10    Jamarques Lawrence  6-3    183 lbs    Sophomore
    0    C.J. Wilcher                  6-5    214 lbs    Junior
    3     Brice Williams               6-7    213 lbs    Junior
    53   Josiah Allick                 6-8    231 lbs    Senior
    51    Rienk Mast                 6-10    248 lbs    Junior
     
    Bench
    9    Jarron Coleman            6-5    213 lbs    Senior
    1    Sam Hoiberg                 6-0    183 lbs    Sophomore
    11    Eli Rice                         6-8    213 lbs    Freshman
    21    Matar Diop                 6-10    213 lbs    Freshman
    2    Ramel Lloyd Jr.             6-6    210 lbs    RS Freshan
    31    Cale Jacobsen            6-4    200 lbs    RS Freshan
    35    Henry Burt                  6-7    216 lbs    RS Freshan
    24    Jeffrey Grace III         6-3    197 lbs    Sophomore 
     
     
    Hoiberg presser - NOTES HERE
     
     
    The Skinny: 
    Continuity....it's the driving force behind the reasonable expectations and optimism for Fred Hoiberg's 5th year at Nebraska.  The Huskers return their entire coaching staff that seemed to finally stabilize the ship last year with a system that Nebraska went out and recruited to over the summer. Nebraska lost cornerstone players like Sam Griesel and Derrick Walker but went and replaced them with veterans like Mast, Williams, Coleman, and Allick while also keeping the core of players that won 9 conference games last season.  It's already necessary depth (already being tested) and experience that has Nebraska hoping to dance at the end of the season.
     
    You never want to overlook an opponent but as fans you have that luxury; Lindenwood should be an easy buy win for Nebraska. The Lions and their ball screen offense project to take a lot of jumpers so the shooting prowess of the Lions should dictate how long they can hang around trying for the upset. Look for Nebraska to capitalize off of turnovers for easy points and both teams to up their pace from last season
     
    Prediction: Nebraska 91 - Lindenwood 64
  2. Like
    tcp reacted to hhcmatt for a article, Game Day Essentials: Game #24 vs Penn St   
    Penn St. Info

    Head Coach: Micah Shrewsberry
    Location: University Park, PA
    Conference: B1G
    Nickname: Nittany Lions
    Mascot: The Nittany Lion
    Point Spread: Penn St by 8.5
    Typical Rotation Depth: 8
    KenPom rank: 45
    A couple of Famous Alumni: Tim Frazier, Lamar Stevens
    Other:  
    Nebraska dropped their Jan matchup at Penn St 76-65 with Bandoumel suffering a college career ending knee injury 7 minutes into the game. Derrick Walker paced Nebraska with 20 while Andrew Funk poured in 23 for Penn St.  For the last two games Penn St has been starting little used veteran post players 6'7" 235# Jr Caleb Dorsey and 6'8" 244# Sr Michael Henn. They add some size to a Penn St squad that plays small lineups Despite playing a handful of freshman Penn St has what KenPom considers to be the oldest roster in D-1 thanks to bringing in several grad transfers  
    KenPom Analysis: Penn St is a team of extremes, their short team excelling at outside shooting and not turning over the ball. The Nittany Lions need to shoot well as they're not making it to the line nor grabbing offensive rebounds. On the other end, the Lions' defense is about trying to force bad shots as opposed to pressure.
     

     
     
    Player to watch: G Jalen Pickett
    Pickett has been a force in the conference and is in the running for CPOTY. He currently leads the team in points, assists, rebounds, and steals. The beefy guard will work his way inside the arc and will spray balls out to shooters if the defense manages to keep him from shooting
     
    Player to watch: F Seth Lundy
    Penn St's 2nd leading scorer and rebounder is shooting 43% from 3
     
    KenPom most used lineup
      PG SG SF PF C Pct 1 22 Jalen Pickett
    6-4  209  Sr 11 Camren Wynter
    6-2  200  Sr 10 Andrew Funk
    6-5  200  Sr 1 Seth Lundy
    6-6  220  Sr 3 Kebba Njie
    6-10  237  Fr 23.6
       
    Others to watch
    Bucknell transfer Andrew Funk is shooting 40.4% from 3 Drexel Transfer Camren Winter is another secondary scorer and is shooting 37.3% from 3 Freshman center Njie is a rim protector but is foul prone; not much of an offensive threat relative to his teammates Veteran guard Myles Dread clocks in at 6'4" 235#. Dread can operate as Penn St's small ball center and is shooting 39.4% from 3 Freshman PG Kanye Clary and wing Evan Mahaffey are in the rotation  
    UNL Game Notes
     
    Probable starters for Nebraska
    5    Sam Griesel    G    6-7
    30  Keisei Tominaga    G    6-2
    10  Jamarques Lawrence - G  6-3
    32  Wilhelm Breidenbach    F    6-10
    13  Derrick Walker    F    6-9
     
    Bench
    0   C.J. Wilcher    G    6-5
    12  Denim Dawson - F  6-6
    33  Oleg Kojenets    F    7-0
    12   Sam Hoiberg    G    6-0
    35  Henry Burt  F  6-6
    24  Jeffrey Grace III  G  6-3
     
    Probable
    15   Blaise Keita C   6-11 - Ankle
     
    Injured
    3   Quaran McPherson   G   6-3 - Out for the Year
    4   Juwan Gary  F  6-6 - Out for the Year
    25  Emmanuel Bandoumel    G    6-4 - Out for the Year
     
    Redshirting 
    2   Ramel Lloyd Jr.  G 6-6
    31  Cale Jacobsen  G  6-4
     
    Hoiberg Presser
    Discussing the need to limit turnovers and fouls
     
    Walker Presser
     
     
    The Skinny: 
    In some ways this Penn St team is exactly what the doctor ordered: they're near the bottom in D-1 in generating turnovers or FT attempts. Expect Nebraska to turn around in those areas simply because of the opponent.
     
    Pickett had a so-so game against Nebraska in their first matchup thanks to 7 turnovers. Simply keeping him in check would go a long way today. Minus the last 12 minutes vs Illinios, Nebraska has been shooting the ball well the last few games. Probably need that to carry over in this one. 
     
    Here is a stat for you: Penn St hasn't won a road game in 2023. Let's hope the trend continues.
     
    Prediction: Nebraska 66 - Penn St 64
  3. Like
    tcp reacted to hhcmatt for a article, Game Day Essentials: Game #21 vs Penn St   
    Penn St. Info

    Head Coach: Jim Ferry
    Location: University Park, PA
    Conference: B1G
    Nickname: Nittany Lions
    Mascot: The Nittany Lion
    Conference Record: 4-11
    Typical Rotation Depth: 8
    Spread: Penn State by 6
    KenPom rank: 34
     
    Players to watch:       Myreon Jones
    On this balanced scoring Penn St team Jones leads the team in 3pt attempts and makes, hitting 39% on the season.  Jones also leads the team in scoring. Last time out vs Nebraska led the team with 18 points but took 20 shots to do so.
     
    Roster points
     
    PG SG SF PF C Pct 1 5 Jamari Wheeler
    6-1  170  Sr 0 Myreon Jones
    6-3  180  Jr 12 Izaiah Brockington
    6-4  200  Jr 1 Seth Lundy
    6-6  219  So 21 John Harrar
    6-9  240  Sr 17.5
      2 5 Jamari Wheeler
    6-1  170  Sr 0 Myreon Jones
    6-3  180  Jr 12 Izaiah Brockington
    6-4  200  Jr 2 Myles Dread
    6-4  220  Jr 21 John Harrar
    6-9  240  Sr 17.5
       
    With the departures of Mike Watkins and Lamar Stevens Penn St isn't running much offense through the post
     
    Seth Lundy as taken over the 4 spot from Stevens; his 3pt shooting has fallen off this year. Functions as one of the few shot blockers on the team Brockington is a lock down defender who mostly shoots inside the arc PG Jamari Wheeler spearheads this ball hawking defense that generates a lot of steals. He's a pure point guard in the sense that he barely shoots so you could see defensively challenged Kobe Webster playing some big minutes tonight Myles Dread still hasn't improved on his freshman numbers like this team would expect and often slots as an undersized forward for this small Penn St squad. Binghamton transfer Sam Sessoms is interesting as I wonder if the team might have been better off in the future had he redshirted.  The high scoring combo guard functions as the PG when Wheeler is off the court and as an undersized SG when they play together.  The Philly native is 2nd on the team in assists and 4th in scoring coming off the bench. John Harrar generates contact, getting to the line a ton while also racking up plenty of fouls on his own. Is one of 5 PSU players averaging over 9 points a game and leads the team in rebounds. Forward Trent Buttrick backs up Harrar but his poor finishing ability and defending makes him a substandard replacement  
     
    The Skinny:
    Penn St and Pat Chambers had built something in Happy Valley, being among the elites in the conference over the prior 3 years in KenPom ranking and on their way to the first NCAA appearance of Chambers' tenure.  (Projected as a 6 seed by some)  Covid-19 hits and there goes the tourney.  Chambers mouth finally writes enough checks he cannot cash and just before the season starts Chambers is gone.  Current Penn St assistant and former Duquesne and LIU Brooklyn coach Jim Ferry takes over for the team in November.  While Ferry has the title of interim you have to wonder if he has a good shot at retaining the job of the 5th most important sport at the school.
     
    Stylistically at this point I'd attribute Penn State's change in play and performance to the change in personnel as opposed to coaching style. It's slightly shocking given Jim Ferry's past and the lack of size on this roster that this team doesn't play faster.  Penn St doesn't shoot all that well nor do they get to the FT line often.  Their lack of size makes them vulnerable inside and no doubt the Huskers will spread them out in order to drive the lane. Penn St lives off of extra possessions, aggressively winning the turnover and rebounding games and playing with the sort of control Hoiberg wants to limit careless turnovers.   Last time out, Nebraska turned the ball over 16 times and gave up 13 offensive rebounds though managed to win as the Nittany Lions shot a putrid 21-65 from the court. 
     
    Look for both teams to have relatively better offensive games in what should be another close fought struggle where the winner is the team that fades the least at the end. 
     
     
    Prediction: Nebraska 71 - Penn St 68
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