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The Michigan Wolverines look to remain atop the Big Ten standing as they face the team at the bottom tonight on the road, the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Michigan and Penn State first met in early January when the Wolverines cruised to a 68-55 victory over the Nittany Lions. After a poor first half from Michigan, Jordan Poole led the Wolverines to a 43 point second half, clinching a win in Ann Arbor.
Since then, the two teams have had very different seasons. Michigan has won 22 games, including 17 straight to start the season. In Big Ten play, the Wolverines are 11-2, currently sitting a half game above Purdue for the No. 1 spot in the conference.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions have only been victorious in one of their twelve conference match-ups, and it came last week against Northwestern. At 8-15, Penn State will be looking to shake up the conference standings with an upset victory over Michigan tonight.
The biggest issue the Wolverines will face is Nittany Lions’ Forward Lamar Stevens. The 6-8 junior has averaged 18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest so far in the year. Lately he has really been coming into his own. In a one-point loss to Minnesota, Stevens put up 27 points and 4 rebounds. Jon Teske and company will have their hands full tonight trying to slow down the focal point of Penn State’s offense.
Outside the key, the Wolverines will have to shut down the likes of guards Rasir Bolton and Myles Dread. The two shoot just around 36% from deep and add about 20 points per game to the Penn State offense.
Luckily, the Wolverines bring in the No. 2 defense in the country, holding opponents to just 57.1 points per game and an 86.7 defensive rating.
Based on numbers and the first game of the season, this one should end with a victory for Michigan. But, no Big Ten Conference game is an easy one, especially on the road.
How To Watch:
Teams: No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (22-2) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (8-15)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 12
Location: Bryce Jordan Center — University Park, PA
Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Television: BTN