Penn State at Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

Penn State at No. 4 Michigan

Time: Noon

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: Big Ten Network

Records: Penn State 8-16, 0-12 Big Ten, Michigan 21-4, 8-4

Penn State stat leaders: Points – Tim Frazier (16.3 ppg); Rebounds – Ross Travis (7.0 rpg); Assists – D.J. Newbill (4.0 apg); Steals – Frazier (2.3 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (18.2 ppg); Rebounds – Mitch McGary (6.0 rpg); Assists – Burke (7.0 apg); Steals – Burke (1.4 spg).

Current Streaks: Penn State L12, Michigan L2

Point Spread: Michigan -22.5

Prediction: Michigan will probably look really strong in this one, but beating Penn State shouldn’t mean much. With the rough stretch for Michigan over, and the Wolverines back home, this game should be over early. Michigan knows it essentially has to win out to earn the Big Ten title. Penn State has had 10 of its 12 Big Ten losses come by at least nine points. The Nittany Lions don’t offer much on the court, especially on the road. Michigan wins and wins big. Michigan 71, Penn State 53.

MSU at Penn State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 18 Michigan State vs. Penn State

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Bryce Jordan Center

TV: Big Ten Network

Records: Michigan State 14-3, 3-1 Big Ten; Penn State 8-8, 0-4

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (13.8 ppg); Rebounds – Derrick Nix/Adreian Payne (7.2 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.6 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.9 spg).

Penn State stat leaders: Points – Tim Frazier (16.3 ppg); Rebounds – Ross Travis (7.6 rpg); Assists – Frazier/D.J. Newbill (3.8 apg); Steals – Frazier (2.3 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State W3; Penn State L4

Point Spread: Michigan State -12

Prediction: There aren’t many “easy” games in the Big Ten, but this one should be one of the easier ones for Michigan State. Penn State has struggled against lesser teams, losing to Purdue by 18 and Northwestern by 16. The Nittany Lions are one of the worst offensive teams in the country and shoot just 38.9 percent as a team. The Spartans tend to play to the level of their competition, but this is a game that I see them winning comfortably as they look to build some positive momentum heading into a very tough stretch of Big Ten games. Michigan State 72, Penn State 54.