Penn State at Wisconsin 2/2/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

An improving Penn State team will be in for yet another dogfight in Big Ten play when they rematch the Wisconsin Badgers, this time on the road to the Kohl Center. Penn State won the first matchup by 10, their third win in the last four games, and improved to 6-7 (3-6 conference). Wisconsin dropped to #19 in the AP and to 13-5 (7-4 conference) with the loss.

Penn State got off to a rough start following the surprise resignation of head coach Pat Chambers, they’ve recovered since to some degree despite playing the nation’s toughest schedule. The Penn State offense is averaging 77.1 points per game ranking 66th in the country in scoring offense but shooting 43.1% from the field.

The Nittany Lions have made their money from beyond the arc making over 9-threes per game and shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc. The backcourt of Myeron Jones and Izaiah Brockington have led the way, Jones averaging a team-high 15.8 points and is second with 2.3 assists per game. Brockington is a solid rebounding guard, pulling down 5 per game (2nd on team) and adds 15.2 points per game.

Wisconsin loves to slow teams down, and their offense has suffered to some degree but their experience and ability to take care of the ball at a high-level has allowed them to score at a fine level averaging 71.9 points per game ranking 178th in the country in scoring offense. 

The Badgers are the oldest teams in the country and all five starters are seniors, leading the way is senior guard D’Mitrik Trice with 14.1 points and 3.8 assists per game, both leading the team. In the frontcourt it’s forward Micah Potter, he’s pulling down a team-high 6.6 rebounds and adds 12.3 points per game.

The slow pace of play has led the defense to be one of the best in the country allowing 62.8 points per game ranking 25th in scoring defense. Opponents are shooting 44.8% from the field and the Badgers are 8th in KenPom adjusted defense. Penn State has struggled to defend allowing 76.3 points per game ranking 294th in scoring defense and opponents are shooting 47% from the field. The Nittany Lions are 79th in KenPom adjusted defense.