| Who: | Iowa Hawkeyes (13-12, 5-7) |
| When: | Tonight, 8:00 PM |
| Where: | Bryce Jordan Center |
| TV: | ESPNU |
| Radio: | Affiliates, Sirius - CH 92, XM - CH 191 |
The last game between these two was all of 12 days ago. Penn State was a no-show in the first half on the road, and Iowa coasted to an easy 13-point win. The roles are reversed tonight, as we've seen how dramatically different PSU plays at the BJC. In conference play, Penn State is 3-3 at home with only the Minnesota loss being by double-digits (luckily OSU and MSU don't visit this year). Since that game, PSU has lost to MSU while beating Nebraska. Iowa has been sitting around for the last week after getting blown out at Northwestern.
True freshman Aaron White and senior PG Bryce Cartwright dominated PSU's defense for a combined 34 points. I will be shocked if they reproduce that effort tonight. The Hawkeyes' leading scorer Matt Gatens also got his (18 points) against the Nits thanks to 11 FTA. Penn State was sloppy all around, but they gave Iowa 34 free throws. That cannot happen again if PSU wants to win.
| PSU (home) | Conference-Only | Iowa (road) |
|---|---|---|
| 61.6 | Pace | 67.1 |
| 1.03 | PPP | 1.04 |
| 47.2% | eFG% | 52.8% |
| 32.8% | OReb% | 34.9% |
| 18.0% | TO% | 22.5% |
| 32.8% | FTR | 39.4% |
| 0.99 | Opp PPP | 1.20 |
| 48.9% | Opp eFG% | 53.9% |
| 24.4% | Opp OReb% | 40.6% |
| 20.2% | Opp TO% | 16.2% |
| 47.3% | Opp FTR | 36.6% |
It doesn't look like Iowa has had any interest playing defense on the road in the Big Ten (although they do have two surprising road wins against Wisconsin and Minnesota). With Iowa's faster pace and PSU's actual efficient home offense, this game could be lead to Big Macs. KenPom gives PSU at 58% chance of victory and predicts a 71-68 PSU win. Vegas also has PSU as a 2.5 point home favorite.
Some keys for PSU is working the interior of Iowa's defense. They've allowed opponents to shoot 58% on 2's on the road. Hopefully PSU isn't put in a position to shoot 29 threes again. It's also important for PSU to get off to a good start, which has to have been a focus for Chambers of late. Even in the Nebraska victory, PSU was sloppy in the first four minutes. They need to come out ready to roll from the get-go. Lastly, Penn State needs to win the rebounding battle, which they didn't the first time around. Iowa is very susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds and second chances.
The Hawkeyes have got some matchup problems for PSU like Aaron White, but if the home effort is there and the rotations are sound, I don't expect the same kind of success for the Iowa offense. Also, if the Cam Woodyards and Jermaine Marshalls get in a rhythm, Frazier should flourish with less on his shoulders. In Iowa City, Frazier had seven turnovers. I would be shocked to see that number again tonight as well.
I'm interested in what the crowd will look like. The Chamburgers seemed to have a positive effect with the students, but THON is starting, the weather is crappy, etc. Hopefully the guys can get a crowd (that's enthusiastic) to feed off of.
0 recs | 13 comments
Maybe it's just a knee-jerk feeling, I haven't done any research to back it up
But it seems that the way of PSU this year is, “if it’s 10 minutes in and PSU is within 8, PSU will be in the game with 5 minutes left and could win, no matter who they’re playing. If they’re not, you might as well turn the TV off.”
ckmneon - February 16, 2012
This evening I will
test your theory and check in at the 11 minute mark. If within 8 I will ignore wife and kid for the rest of the game.
If over, I will fold the 6 loads of laundry laying about while watching re-runs of whatever horrible sitcom wife chooses.
rahpsu92 - February 16, 2012
The game in Iowa City was ugly as sin
Hopefully the good guys can get they’re shit together on offense to pull out the W.
spakajewia - February 16, 2012
Lol @ KenPom
for predicting us to score 71.
dbl5030 - February 16, 2012
Free Big Macs for all!
rahpsu92 - February 16, 2012
Dude in the black jacket in the background, left of center
can’t believe what he’s seeing
Dr.TobiasFunke - February 16, 2012
Off Topic
NJ PG Jaren Sina has had second thoughts about his verbal to Alabama and has re-opened his recruitment.
http://www.lostlettermen.com/2-16-2012-jaren-sina-future-lettermen
Just a thought about “Nittany Nation.”
The moniker sounds kind of bland to me.
When you think about the “Paint Crew” and the “Orange Crush” and “The Izzone”,
I’d prefer something more colorful, like may be “Chamber of Horrors.” or something.
TonyLion - February 16, 2012
I kind of hate anything named "_______ Nation", as long as we're on the topic.
Chris Grovich - February 16, 2012
To steal Wu-Tang brilliance from another thread
We need 36 students sitting courtside dressed like Pat Chambers.
Chris Grovich - February 16, 2012
That would be good hustle
jman07 - February 16, 2012
Yeah, this is exactly correct.
WorldBFat - February 16, 2012
To be fair
The moniker were kind of forced onto the students.
PennStateBasketball - February 17, 2012
Lion Hearted?
I’ve also think that the BJC should be called the Dam.
rahpsu92 - February 16, 2012
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