Michigan basketball can get another impressive win vs Penn State

While Michigan basketball should be safe when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, it has a chance to add another impressive win vs Penn State.

You never quite know how the schedule is going to play, especially in a difficult conference like the Big Ten, but as the final week approaches, Michigan basketball has a chance to add another impressive win to its NCAA Tournament resume. How you ask? By beating Penn State.

Over the past few weeks, Penn State has been on a roll. It beat Ohio State for the second time this season just last week. The Nittany Lions also lost to Purdue by just three points on the road. They are a bubble team and beating them on the road, will be a major challenge for Michigan basketball.

The nice thing for the Wolverines, is they don’t have much to lose. However, they do have plenty to gain. They can move up to the fourth spot in the Big Ten, which gets the double-bye in the tournament. They can also improve their seeding for March Madness with another quality road win.

But a loss to Penn State, a team that is surging, on their home floor won’t really hurt. Yet, it could count as a quadrant 1 win when it’s all said and done. UM has three (Texas, Michigan State, Ohio State), but would love to add another. Especially with selection Sunday looming.

To realize just how good Penn State has become, let’s consult the Kenpom rankings, which takes an analytical look at college basketball. In those rankings, Michigan basketball is 23rd. Penn State, a team listed out according to ESPN’s bracketology, is ranked 25th.

Lunardi also said recently that of all the bubble teams, Penn State is one that could make a run in the NCAA Tournament, if it can make it there.

That shows just how difficult Wednesday’s road game will be for Michigan. We will break it down a little more in a second, but first, here’s a quick look at how to watch the game, on TV and if you need to stream.

Game Info:

Game 30: Michigan vs Penn State

When: 7:00 PM EST

Where: Mackey Arena

TV: BTN

Streaming: BTN2Go

Radio: WWJ (950 AM) in Detroit

Getting to know Penn State

The Nittany Lions haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2011, but a win over Michigan could go a long way towards getting them there. They also play Nebraska to close out the regular season, so they have two chances left to impress the committee before the Big Ten tourney.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

The two wins over Ohio State are their most impressive. But Penn State also beat Nebraska and Maryland, as well as Pittsburgh in non-conference play. Beating Michigan would give Penn State its third top-25 win of the season.

Tony Carr is the top player for the Nittany Lions and he’s a handful. He scores 19.6 points per game and shoots 46 percent from 3-point range and averages 2.4 3-point field goals per game. Lamar Stevens is another dangerous scorer, who scores 15.1 a night. Mike Watkins is another threat inside, who averages 12.5 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds.

However, Penn State has two others that score in double figures in Josh Reaves (10.7 ppg) and Shep Garner (10.6). As a team, Penn State scores 76.1 per game, which is 114th in the NCAA. Their defense, which allows just 66.3, ranks 40th.

Michigan basketball has just three players that average in double figures in Moe Wagner, Charles Matthews and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. But others such as Jordan Poole, Isaiah Livers, Duncan Robinson and Zavier Simpson have shown the ability to light it up.

Michigan has also got it done defensively. UM ranks 11th in the NCAA in points allowed at 63.5. In Big Ten play, the Wolverines rank fourth, allowing 66.1. The Wolverines are also 4-5 on the road.

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Currently, Michigan is solidly in the tournament, but a win over Penn State can only add to what’s already turned into an impressive NCAA resume.