Convention play formally begins as we speak with three league video games and two extra non-conference tune-ups. There’s a doubleheader on FS1, beginning with Purdue and Rutgers earlier than USC travels to Oregon late night time. On Peacock Iowa hits the street to play a high ten Michigan State. Additionally within the combine is a Massive Ten Community doubleheader with Penn State and Maryland each internet hosting mid-majors.
#1 Purdue Boilermakers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Within the first of a doubleheader on FS1 Purdue heads east to face Rutgers. On paper this shouldn’t be a difficult recreation, however between some current struggles Purdue has had in Jersey and the truth that Purdue often comes out a bit flat versus lesser opposition, it may result in a surprisingly extra aggressive recreation than anticipated.
Rutgers enters at 5-3, ending a 3 recreation skid with a win towards UNLV final week. These three losses embrace a dreadful loss to Central Connecticut State, 25 level loss to Tennessee and a loss to Notre Dame. KenPom ranks Rutgers 118th nationally with an offense at a hundred and fifty fifth and a protection nonetheless outdoors of the highest 100. Rutgers defensive id has been lacking in motion the previous two seasons however their offensive lack of ability continues to be on full show. Dylan Grant has had a robust begin to the season with 15.6 factors per recreation on 51.9% capturing, however there isn’t a lot right here on the subject of weapons on offense.
That after all will show closely problematic towards a Purdue group that brings depth at principally each place. The loaded frontcourt with Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff and Daniel Jacobson has already proved extremely problematic for opponents. Everybody basically knew what they have been dealing with on the subject of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, however the emergence of C.J. Cox has been a recreation changer for a backcourt that desperately wanted a 3rd weapon. There’s a slight dip defensively, but it surely’s nonetheless a high 20 protection per KenPom towards an offensively challenged Rutgers squad.
Successful on the street is difficult within the Massive Ten and Purdue has seemed a bit flat out the gate in most of their video games versus weaker opponents. Search for Matt Painter to attempt to use tonight for example and get his group a bit extra fired up than regular. So long as Purdue doesn’t come out fully flat and lifeless they need to stay undefeated.
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Choose: Purdue
Campbell at Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State hosts Campbell this night on BTN. Tonight’s recreation is the final recreation earlier than a pair of convention video games subsequent week, with the Nittany Lions touring to Indiana and internet hosting Michigan State. Their opponent is a 3-4 Campbell group ranked outdoors of the highest 200 per KenPom and coming into off of a 48 level loss at Wake Forest per week in the past. The Preventing Camels are committing 15 turnovers per recreation and capturing simply 26.8% from three. Penn State has sleepwalked by means of a few of their non-conference video games however they’ve additionally restricted turnovers and shot the ball fairly properly from the sector. Search for Penn State to choose up one other win earlier than an enormous uptick within the degree of competitors subsequent week.
Choose: Penn State
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Iowa Hawkeyes at #7 Michigan State Spartans
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Time/TV: 7:00 PM ET Peacock
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Line: Michigan State -5.5
On Peacock tonight we have now an undefeated seventh ranked Michigan State internet hosting an undefeated Iowa. Michigan State has knocked off three ranked groups thus far this season in Arkansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. Tonight’s recreation leads right into a marquee showdown towards Duke on Saturday. Iowa can also be 7-0, although their greatest win is Ole Miss. Final outing the offense fell off a cliff, knocking off Grand Canyon in a dreadful 59-46 slog.
Iowa is capturing the ball properly at 53.1%, although the offense is a extra energy in numbers strategy. Exterior of Bennet Stirtz, who’s averaging 18.6 factors per recreation, just one different participant is reaching double figures and that’s Alvaro Folgueiras with 10 factors per recreation. Iowa’s lack of playmakers proves problematic towards a high 5 Michigan State protection that may probably decelerate Iowa’s offensive prowess dramatically.
The Spartans have began to enhance from past the arc and if they’ll proceed to shoot effectively from three they’re going to be a tricky out all season. A powerful defensive unit already, when Michigan State’s offense matches their defensive potential they’re among the finest groups within the nation. With the sport tonight additionally going down in East Lansing the Spartans ought to open up league play with a win.
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Choose: Michigan State
Wagner at Maryland Terrapins
Maryland will look to finish a two recreation skid tonight towards Wagner. It was a tough journey out west for the Terps, shedding their final two video games towards Gonzaga and Alabama by a mixed 72 factors. Now dealing with a 1-5 Wagner ought to present Maryland a chance for a a lot wanted win. The Seahawks misplaced their first 5 video games earlier than an extra time win over Manhattan final week. Maryland has been turnover susceptible and is capturing solely 41.1% from the sector so tonight will present one of many final simple tune-ups for Maryland to determine issues out earlier than the season actually takes off.
Choose: Maryland
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#24 USC Trojans at Oregon Geese
USC hits the street tonight of their first Massive Ten recreation of the season as they attempt to enhance to 8-0. The Trojans received the Maui Invitational, although the competitors has fell off lately as USC knocked off Boise State, Seton Corridor and Arizona State. The Trojans offense has been paced by guards Chad Baker-Mazara and Rodney Rice, each averaging simply north of 20 factors, although Rice suffered an damage in Maui and his standing heading ahead is at present up within the air. USC is capturing virtually 50% from the sector and just below 40% from three.
Oregon enters on a 3 recreation shedding skid towards Auburn, San Diego State and Creighton, all of which got here by double figures. Even their wins haven’t impressed a lot, beating Hawaii and Rice by a mixed 5 factors and never wanting a lot better of their two different wins. Star guard Jackson Shelstad is capturing solely 35.2% from the sector and 30.4% from three, whereas the Geese have dedicated 13.3 turnovers per recreation whereas capturing 40.3% from the sector and 30.4% from three.
Till the Geese can get Shelstad taking part in higher it’s going to be onerous for them to beat the higher groups within the Massive Ten. Whereas Oregon is at residence the offense has been a scorching mess and there isn’t a lot confidence heading into taking part in a ranked USC squad.
Choose: USC
