Rutgers at Penn State Nittany 1/21/21 - NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions

The struggling Rutgers Scarlet Knights will be looking to stop a four-game skid when they travel on the road to the Bryce Jordan Center to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State hasn’t fared much better this season and comes in having lost four straight, the most recent loss falling on the road to Illinois 79-65 to drop to 3-6 on the year. Rutgers most recent loss came at home to Wisconsin, they fell 60-54 and dropped to 7-5 on the year.

Penn State has yet to notch a conference win but their offense has been solid this season averaging 76.2 points per game ranking 97th in the country in scoring offense. It’s their up-tempo offense that has led them to that, they’re 5th in pace but are shooting just 41.9% from the field as a team.

The Nittany Lions have a new head coach after the surprise offseason resignment of Pat Chambers, it’s been a rough start with that and the loss of last years’ leading scorer Lamar Stevens. Junior guard Myreon Jones has absorbed a portion of those touches, he leads the team in scoring with 15.9 points on 40% shooting and is third on the team in assists with 2.2 per game. Junior Izaiah Brockington comes in second on the team in scoring with 13.8 points per game.

Rutgers comes in averaging 73.9 points per game ranking 140th in scoring offense but have really struggled over their last three games averaging just 55.7 points in those losses. The Scarlet Knights have been efficient for the most part this season shooting 46% from the field as a team, the 97th field-goal percentage in the country. 

Rutgers has dealt with injuries to key-player Geo Baker, an All-Big Ten player a season ago, Baker has struggled to get anything going offensively averaging 8.7 points and 2.7 assists per game. Junior guard Ron Harper was a big piece to last years’ team and has stepped up averaging 18.6 points and pulling down 6.3 rebounds per game. 

The up-tempo Penn State play has led to them being one of the worst defenses in the country allowing 77 points per game ranking 304th in the country in scoring defense. Opponents have shot 46.9% from the field and the Nittany Lions are 73rd in KenPom adjusted defense. Rutgers has struggled defensively this season as well, allowing 70.9 points per game ranking 199th in scoring defense. Rutgers is 37th in KenPom adjusted defense.