Game Thread: Michigan Basketball vs. Penn State

The Basics

Who: Penn State Nittany Lions (11-10, 2-6 Big Ten)

When: Saturday, January 30th, at Noon ET (BTN)

Where: Madison Square Garden -- New York, N.Y.

Spread: Vegas: -11 | KenPom: W, 72-65 (76% WP)

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In the afternoon slot of the inaugural B1G Super Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Michigan basketball team will square off against Penn State, seeking to sweep the Nittany Lions after a 23-point win over them earlier in the month. Michigan likely will be without LeVert for the eighth straight contest, but Penn State could be without three of the starters it had in its first meeting with Michigan: Shep Garner (ankle), Josh Reaves (mono), and Payton Banks (back). If all three of them are unable to participate -- Garner and Banks are game-time decisions -- Michigan should win this contest fairly easily:

... Penn State doesn't have the firepower to keep pace with Michigan's offense, even if the Wolverines sputtered a bit against Minnesota and Rutgers. The Nittany Lions aren't a good shooting team to begin with, and they might be without their only legitimate passer in Shep Garner. So they might have only one of their four top scorers and no one to get them into their offense. Oh, and the only strength that Penn State's offense has, getting to the free-throw line, should be cancelled out by Michigan's excellent ability not to hack. I just don't know where PSU's points come from.

Michigan 74, Penn State 58

You can read my full Penn State preview here.

Are you excited to watch Michigan play in MSG? What's your prediction?