Indiana has been a difficult team to figure out this year. They are excellent defensively and seemingly have the size to bang in a physical conference. But they have also lost five games already after a fantastic 2012-2013 regular season, and their offensive metrics are weak to say the least.
Noah Vonleh, Jeremy Hollowell and Troy Williams create a nice trio of interior options and Will Sheehy is a veteran leader who can score in a variety of ways. That inside strength will come in handy here as the Nittany Lions do have some issues on the boards. They feature only two regular with the size to handle this match-up, although both Donovan Jack and Brandon Taylor are quality young players with promise.
The real key to this game might well come down to guard play, however. Indiana simply isn’t good enough offensively to pull away in a game like this. Additionally, they have failed to find quality point guard play as Yogi Ferrell continues to struggle in creating easy offense for this team.
PSU counters with a pair of special guards in Tim Frazier and D.J. Newbill. Both players can shoot from the outside and also have the ability to attack the lane off the dribble as well. Should they prove capable of controlling this match-up with Ferrell and IU’s other guard options, that could go a long way toward success down the stretch.
Pat Chambers’ squad comes off a tough home loss to Minnesota. PSU led late into that game, but did not capitalize at the free throw line to the extent needed (18-29 for the game). They also allowed the Gophers’ trio of talented guards to make key plays late.
Indiana comes off a loss to Michigan State back on Saturday and has Wisconsin at home on deck for Tuesday. I have the Hoosiers as small favorites (maybe 1.5/2), but would look to play PSU at any dog position equal to or exceeding that number.
PSU +2.5
