Michigan @ Penn State Preview

 

The visiting Wolverines have lost three of their last six, including home losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State in addition to a loss at Illinois. In those three games, Michigan was out scored by an average over 11 points while their field goal shooting percentage in those three games never made it to the 40 percent mark.

 

The hosting Nittany Lions have also lost three of their last six, two on the road at Wisconsin and Minnesota and a home loss to Michigan State. In these three losses, Penn State was outscored by an average of ten points. In their blowout loss to Minnesota, the Nittany Lions only shot 36.7 percent from the field compared to the Golden Gophers, who shot over 62 percent.

 

The most intriguing one on one match-up in this game comes at guard, where both team’s leading scorers will go head to head. Penn State guard Talor Battle comes into this game averaging over 18 points, 6 boards and 5 assists a game while Michigan guard Manny Harris is averaging almost 19 points a game to go with 7 boards and 5 assists a game.

 

On an overall scale, these teams are as evenly matched as you can get. Both teams are averaging 70 points for and 62 points against. Both teams are 10-2 at home and both share a 3-3 record in Big Ten play.

 

With both of these teams sitting at 3-3 in the conference, this games becomes a must win if either of these teams have a chance at catching Michigan State, who’s sitting at 5-0.

 

There’s one last thing that these two teams have in common, the tough schedule ahead. Following tonight’s game, Penn State will play three of its next five on the road, including a rematch with these Wolverines in Ann Arbor and a trip to East Lansing to play Michigan State. Meanwhile, Michigan will also play three of its next five following tonight’s game on the road, including trips to Columbus and Hartford, to play Ohio State and Connecticut respectively.