Game Thread: Rutgers at Penn State

Rutgers (7-5; 3-5) at Penn State (3-6; 0-5)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA

Tip-off: Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET

TV: BTN - Dave Revsine and Jess Settles

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 380, Jerry Recco; WRSU 88.7 FM - Raj Shah and Jake Schmied

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers is 39, which is 1 spot better since the 6 point loss to Wisconsin last Friday; Penn State is 48, which is 1 spot worse since a 14 point loss at Illinois on Tuesday.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 109.7 (57th) Defense 93.0 (35th); Penn State - Offense 111.9 (33rd) Defense 96.6 (76th)

KenPom Prediction: Penn State 72 Rutgers 71; Rutgers is given a 45% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Rutgers -2.5

Series History: Penn State leads the all-time series 42-34. Both teams won at home last season, with PSU securing a 1 point victory in the last meeting on February 26, 2020.

Penn State SB Nation Site: Black Shoe Diaries

Key Contributors

Penn State - 6’3” junior Myreon Jones (15.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 40.4% 3-pt FG); 6’4” Izaiah Brockington (13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steal, 40.9% 3-pt FG); 6’6” sophomore Seth Lundy (12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 34.1% 3-pt FG); 6’0” junior Sam Sessoms (10.2 points, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.3 rebounds, 38.5% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Myles Dread (7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 36.7% 3-pt FG); 6’9” senior John Harrar (7.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 57.1% FG); 6’1” senior Jamari Wheeler (4.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals); 6’8” senior Trent Buttrick (2.6 points, 3.9 rebounds)

Rutgers - 6’6” junior Ron Harper Jr. (18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 42.3% 3-pt FG); 6’2” senior Jacob Young (15.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.3 steals, 2.2 rebounds, 38.7% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Montez Mathis (12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 40.5% 3-pt FG); 6’4” Geo Baker (8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’10” redshirt junior Myles Johnson (7.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 steals, 1.0 assist, 59.1% FG); 6’6” sophomore Paul Mulcahy (6.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists); 6’7” junior Caleb McConnell (5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steal - 4 games) 6’11” Cliff Omoruyi (5.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 67.7% FG);

Game Preview

Let’s hope tonight is the night when Rutgers gets back to its winning ways. Penn State is playing its third game in five days while RU is well rested, having played just once over the past twelve days. Defensive pressure, rebounding and attacking the rim are some major keys to the Scarlet Knights leaving Happy Valley the victor. Getting Ron Harper Jr, Geo Baker and Montez Mathis going offensively is important as well. Join us in the comment section during the game.