PSU 65
RU 51
We quickly realize losing Geo Baker is a big deal.
There is no way we only score 51 points tonight, unless both team play lock down D, can't see that happening. Some of our lowest outputs, 63 Lafayette, 68 SHU, 69 SF Austin, is because of our effort defensively, held SFA to 57--- Avg 84 pts., SHU 48-- Avg 75, Lafayette 44-- Avg 73. We are 16th in scoring Defense 59.6 a gm, meanwhile PSU gives up 67 a gm. Since the Yeboah move to the starting lineup against Wisconsin, roles and rotations are more cohesive and efficient, defensively as well as offensively. We went 3 full games without trailing in a game, between Wisconsin and Nebraska. The only reason we trailed vs Nebraska is because it took 7 minutes for Pike and team to adjust playing without Geo, down 10-15 13:06 1st. The next 22 minutes, they outscored Nebraska 50-23, 22 for 38 58% FG, and the game was over, up 60-38 10:58 2nd, answered every run without Geo. I don't remember the last road conference game that Rutgers won against a bad team and dominated without one of its best players.
One of the keys to the game is PSU has poor 3pt D 35%, 275th out of 353. We have a respectable 31.3% D, better at home. PSU also takes more 3s than Nebraska, 369(about 26 a game, hit 8.5) to 351, but hit the same amount 117. Not comparing Nebraska's overall talent to PSU, Penn St. is way better, but they rely on the 3 falling more than we do to their success, RU has taken 256 total, hitting 76. Both teams shoot and defend the 2 pt FGs the same. Rebounding about the same. We turn the ball over a little more, they commit more fouls. They shoot FTs a little better 69% to 64%. It will be an exciting game tonight.