Michigan vs Penn State: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

Michigan looks to stay perfect on the season as they host Penn State to kick off the new year.

TV schedule: Thursday, January 3, 7:00 pm ET. ESPN

Arena: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan

It is officially 2019 and with the new year brings some conference play in college basketball. One of the most intriguing and power packed conferences in the nation right now is the Big Ten. After an extremely down year for the conference last season and seeing only four teams make the tournament and two of them make a quick exit, it was inevitable that those teams that under performed would bounce back this season.

Most of those teams have played better this season and are looking like possible tournaments teams which will make for a fun next couple of months. However, one of the ones that still has not quite found their identity is the Penn State Nittany Lions. They missed the tournament last year after playing well at times (defeating Ohio State three times) but playing inconsistent all around and finishing 21-13 and 9-9 in conference.

Even though they lost star guard Tony Carr, they brought back Lamar Stevens, Josh Reaves and Mike Watkins and then added promising guard Rasir Bolton, which led many to believe they would make a tournament run this season.

As we head into what will be a gauntlet for everyone in the Big Ten in conference play, Penn State sits at 10th with a 7-6 record and 0-2 in conference. Lamar Stevens is leading the way for the Nittany Lions in scoring and rebounding at 18.8 ppg and 8.2 rpg, but they only have three players averaging double digits in scoring and they have not had the consistency from role players to win important games. After Michigan, the slate does not get any easier as they play five ranked teams to open conference play and will be in danger of starting 0-7 after their early 0-2 start.

While Penn State has had early struggles this season, the Michigan Wolverines are making this basketball thing look easy. They are 13-0 and have gone from 19th in the AP preseason poll all the way up to second currently. They have double-digit wins over Villanova, North Carolina and Purdue and they have only had two games be decided by single digits.

The Wolverines are led by star freshman Ignas Brazdeikis who is averaging 16.5 ppg and 5.1 rpg with a .507/.429/.769 scoring line. Charles Matthews and Jordan Poole are also averaging 13.9 and 13.5 ppg respectively and have helped Michigan become serious contenders in the country.

Even more impressive for the Wolverines this year has been there all around defense. They are allowing just 55.1 points per game and that is good enough to be the best in the conference. With their firepower on offense and the shut down defense they like to play, they will consistently be a force in the conference and will be an extremely tough match up for everyone that they face.

Prediction: Michigan 74, Penn State 60