Penn State vs. Michigan State Preview: It Doesn’t Get Any Easier

How To Watch

Who: Michigan State Spartans
Record: 8-1 (1-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, December 13, 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
Kenpom Ranking (PSU): 12th (110th)
NET Ranking (PSU): 11th (109th)
TV: B1G Network | Chris Vosters (PXP) and Steve Smith (Analyst)
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Vegas Line: Michigan State -12.5 (FanDuel)
Over/Under: 144.5 (FanDuel)

What To Watch For

• Chairmen of the Boards – Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding (14.2 per game), while Penn State ranks 17th (second-to-last) in defensive rebounding, averaging a touch under 22 per game. If the Spartans live up to their statistical billing, it could be another long afternoon for the Nittany Lions, as there could be ample second, third, and even fourth-chance opportunities for Sparty to score points on.
• Battle-Tested Sparty – Penn State has only faced two power-conference opponents thus far, falling to an okay-at-best Providence team by 12 points and a decent Indiana team by 41 points. Meanwhile, Michigan State has 16-point and 17-point wins over North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively, as well as a close win over Arkansas. They did lose a tough one to Duke at home, but needless to say, this is a team that has faced its share of quality opponents and has come out on top more often than not. I can’t say the same about PSU.
• Reinforcements Needed – In the beatdown at Indiana earlier this week, it seemed like only three guys were really contributing much from a scoring standpoint in Kayden Mingo, Freddie Dilione, and Melih Tunca. Guys such as Dominick Stewart, Josh Reed, and Ivan Juric will need to step up more if the Nittany Lions hope to keep this one competitive.

Prediction

While I expect a much better effort and a less embarrassing final result than what occurred in Bloomington this past Tuesday, I have a difficult time seeing this Penn State team really being able to at least put a scare into this loaded and battle-tested Michigan State team, especially if the perimeter defense and lack of rebounding/post play remain issues. Not to mention, it is Finals weekend at PSU, so I have to imagine the students have more important things to do than witness a struggling Nittany Lion squad likely get blasted.

Michigan State 87, Penn State 69