After dropping to Ohio State on the road, the Nittany Lions (9-10, 3-5 Big Ten) have the chance to take down the Minnesota Gophers at the Bryce Jordan Center. This will be the first meeting with Gophers this season. Penn State MBB play at Minnesota on March 2nd.
Minnesota is currently on a four-game losing streak. The four-game losing streak includes losses at Indiana, at home against Iowa, at Michigan State, and at home against Wisconsin.
The Gophers best player is Dawson Garcia. Garcia is currently averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Over the three-game losing streak, Garcia averaged 19 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
The Gophers have a few good three-point shooters. That includes sophomore forward Joshua Ola-Joseph, who is shooting 46.4% from three on 29 attempted threes. And add junior guard Mike Mitchell Jr., who is shooting 37.7% from three on 106 attempted threes.
In 18 games, Minnesota is shooting 48% from the field, which is third in the Big Ten. And they are a great passing team; they are averaging 18.8 assists per game, which is second in the Big Ten.
How can Penn State win this game?
There is a simple way to win this game. Limiting the Gophers damage at the rim. Joshua Ola-Joseph is one of the best two-point shooters in the country. Limiting Ola-Joseph and Garcia is one of the ways that the Nittany Lions can win at home and get back to the .500 on the season.
Another way is to get Kanye Clary going. Ohio State kept Clary to only 13 points, but Wisconsin let him score 27 points. Penn State won the game against Wisconsin, but not against Ohio State. The sophomore guard has been the Nittany Lions best player this season.
How to Watch?
The game is being played at 6:00 pm EST on the Big Ten Network.