Navy vs Pennsylvania Picks and Prediction – 11/29/2024

The Navy Midshipmen (2-4) and the Pennsylvania Quakers (2-3) clash at The Palestra. Navy is coming off a dominant win, while Penn looks to snap a three-game losing streak. Both squads need strong showings to gain momentum this early in the season. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Navy's offense has shown flashes of excellent play, averaging 75.0 points per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. The Midshipmen rely heavily on guard Austin Benigni, who leads with 18.7 points per game and shoots an impressive 82.7% from the free-throw line. Benigni is also the playmaker on offense with 4.7 assists per contest. Aidan Kehoe's rebounding presence (8.5 RPG) has helped Navy dominate on the boards, crucial to pace. The team also excels in distributing the ball, with 15.8 assists per game.

Defensively, Navy is vulnerable, allowing 73.8 points per game. The Midshipmen compensate with active hands, averaging 7.2 steals per game. Aidan Kehoe's 1.7 steals per contest and Donovan Draper's 1.5 blocks per game are defensive highlights. If they can tighten up on rotations and close out on shooters, they’ll make life difficult for Penn's offense.

Pennsylvania's offense struggles, scoring just 64.8 points per game on 37.9% shooting. Guard Ethan Roberts leads with 13.6 points per game, supported by forward Nick Spinoso's contributions in scoring (8.4 PPG) and rebounding (5.6 RPG). While shooting has lagged, the Quakers are competent in transition and need to capitalize on second-chance points.

Defensively, Penn has allowed 77.0 points per game. They’ll rely on Dylan Williams, who leads in steals, and Spinoso's shot-blocking presence to challenge Navy’s attacking options. Rebounding will be key, as Penn averages just 34.2 boards per game. If Penn can limit Navy's second-chance opportunities, it could tilt the scales.

Navy's offensive depth and rebounding advantage give them the edge in this matchup. Expect Austin Benigni to continue his strong form while Penn's defensive issues persist. Navy takes this one on the road. Final Score Prediction: Navy wins but grab the points 74-68.