Can Rutgers sweep the Penn State Nittany Lions this Wednesday in a matchup of improving Big Ten teams?
TV schedule: Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 pm ET. Big Ten Network
Location: Rutgers Athletic Center, Piscataway, NJ
Wednesday night, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball team (14-14: 7-11 B1G) will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions Men’s Basketball team (12-17: 5-13 B1G), in Big Ten conference play. It will be Senior Night, for Rutgers and the RAC is sold out. The atmosphere at the arena will be electric, as both teams are currently playing at a high level. Rutgers recently won by 14 points, against a top 25 ranked Iowa squad, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In that game, freshman Ron Harper, Jr. went off for 27 points and garnered Freshman of the Week honors. Rutgers is on a two game winning streak and are in control of their own destiny …should they win out the final two contests, they will secure a first-round bye, in the Big Ten Tournament.
Penn State is 5-3 in the second half, of B1G play, with wins over ranked Wolverines and Terrapins and a 95-71 thrashing of Nebraska, in the books. All of Penn State’s key victories have the secret sauce of home cooking, as the main ingredient. The Lions put up a valiant effort, at Wisconsin, only to fall by four points, with two late turnovers against the Badgers.
Rutgers keys to victory
Home Court Advantage
The Rutgers Athletic Center will be the sixth man, in this contest. This will be the fifth time this season that the venue will be a sell-out. Head Coach Steve Pikiell did an interview on Big Ten TV and he had this to say about the sell-out,
"…It’s another sell-out at the RAC, which I’m thrilled about. Our students have come out and have done an unbelievable job…The Riot Squad…all the great people that cheer us…"
The venue holds 8,000 people and the students will do their best, to make the Nittany Lions uncomfortable. They are saying goodbye to 7’2” Center Shaquille Doorson, on Senior Day. A first ever Big Ten sweep, over the Nittany Lions would be a fitting send-off.
Go Deep – Use Your Bench
Coach Pikiell has the luxury of trusting all ten of his players, to start. Valuable minutes off the bench, will be key in defeating the Nittany Lions, who have a tendency to just play seven. In fact, Lamar Stevens very rarely comes out of the game and when he does, the Lions usually struggle on offense. Should the game become a shootout, fresh legs will be a key component to carry you to victory.
Limit Your Turnovers
Penn State fields the Big Ten’s steals leader, senior Josh Reaves who averages 2.4 steals per game. Penn State likes to press and create transition offense, off of turnovers and defensive rebounds. Reaves is a master at anticipating the pass and jumping the passing lane, for an athletic play and posterized finish. Rutgers’ ball handlers need to maintain composure and reverse the ball with crisp passes, before Penn State sets the trap. Rutgers should provide a relief valve , in the middle of the court.
Penn State derives a large part of their offense, from transition. They have been able to out-rebound their opponents, on the defensive glass and are currently sitting in third place in the Big Ten, in the Defensive Rebounding Percentage category, with a .742 average. Late in the game, their offense seems to tighten up and they go on scoring droughts, for minutes at a time. Limiting their defensive rebounds will limit their overall offense.
If I were coach Pikiell, I would trap Rasir Bolton, every chance I could. During the final seconds of the Wisconsin game, the freshmen turned the ball over twice. It’s a double edged sword though. Rasir is currently the conference leader in free throw percentage. If you trap him, don’t foul him.
All statistics from bigten.org . The game airs on BTN , at 7:00 pm.