The “The Lion Sleeps Tonight Part II” Game Thread: Rutgers at no. 16/14 Penn State

Rutgers (18-10; 9-8) at No. 16/14 Penn State (20-7; 10-6)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: Bryce Jordan Center in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania

Tip-off: Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

TV: BTN - Jason Horowitz & Shon Morris

Stream: Fox Sports App

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 382; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM (Justin Sontupe and Jake Ostrove)

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers 32nd, Penn State 21st; Rutgers has moved back 1 spot since the loss to Wisconsin. Penn State dropped 6 spots after a loss to Indiana.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 106.9 (74th) Defense 90.2 (14th); Penn State - Offense 110.5 (36th) Defense 90.4 (16th)

KenPom Prediction: Penn State 71 Rutgers 65; Rutgers has a 30% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Opened with Penn State -6; down to -4.5 as of 5:45p.m. ET.

Series History: Penn State leads the all-time series 41-34, but Rutgers won earlier this January at the RAC by the final score of 72-61.

SB Nation’s Penn State Site: Black Shoe Diaries

Key Contributors

Penn State - 6’8” senior Lamar Stevens (18.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks); 6’3” sophomore Myreon Jones (14.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 41.3% 3-pt range); 6’9” senior Mike Watkins (9.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 55.0% FG); 6’4” sophomore Izaiah Brockington (8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’4” sophomore Myles Dread (8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’4” senior Curtis Jones (6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists); 6’6” freshman Seth Lundy (4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 39.7% 3-pt FG); 6’1” junior Jamari Wheeler (4.0 points, 3.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 50.6% FG); 6’9” junior John Harrar (3.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 64.4% FG)

Rutgers - 6’6” sophomore Ron Harper Jr. (12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 32.7% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Geo Baker (10.7 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals); 6’6” senior Akwasi Yeboah (10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 36.5% 3-pt FG); 6’2” junior Jacob Young (8.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists); 6’10” sophomore Myles Johnson (7.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 assist, 60.5% FG); 6’7” sophomore Caleb McConnell (7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists); 6’4” sophomore Montez Mathis (7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’6” freshman Paul Mulcahy (3.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 57.0% FG); 6’9” senior Shaq Carter (3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 58.2% FG)

GAME PREVIEW

Rutgers has an opportunity to do big things tonight. A much needed road win, a season sweep of Penn State and a fourth win over a ranked foe would do wonders for its NCAA Tournament resume. They are 2-1 in Happy Valley under Steve Pikiell and the Nittany Lions second leading scorer Myreon Jones has been declared out of tonight’s game. The time is now for this team to break out on the road. Join us during the action in the comment section and follow us on Twitter at OTB_SBNation for live commentary during the game.