JAN 21
After a frustrating and deflating loss in College Park, Maryland last Saturday, the Spartans returned with their tails between their legs. Tonight, they have an opportunity to erase the nightmare of the Terrapins with a game against Penn State at the Breslin Center.
The Nittany Lions (12-6, 0-5) have fallen on hard times since conference play started. They are dead last in the Big Ten following a home overtime loss to Purdue on Saturday. However, Penn State does have one thing going for them: DJ Newbill. He leads the Big Ten in scoring at 21.7 points per game. However, he is the only Nittany Lion that averages double-figure scoring.
Newbill left it all on the court in the overtime loss to Purdue, putting up 37 points on 13-23 shooting. His nine other teammates did not follow suit, combining for 40 points on 13-33 shooting.
On the other side of the ball, MSU (12-6, 3-2) is looking to regain their touch from beyond the arc. They lead the Big Ten in three-point percentage at 40.1 percent, but shot only 3-17 from deep against Maryland. In their last two games, Denzel Valentine and Travis Trice are a combined 3-17 from three-point range. Penn State is No. 9 in three-point defense, which could help the Spartans regain their spark.
Last season, these teams met twice, with MSU winning both times by 16 and 15 points. This game should follow the same trend. Tip-off is at 7:00 and the game can be seen on the Big Ten Network.
Prediction: MSU 70-55
LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://impact89fm.org/sports/2015/01/21/spartans-look-to-figure-it-out-against-nittany-lions-2/
Blake Froling 