Come on, who wants to ride the 25.5-point spread and back the Wolverines? Anyone? Nobody? Fine, we can ride their team total over 93.5, because this should be a very high scoring game for Michigan. After nearly a week of rest and coming off a win over Michigan State, the Wolverines should be ready to roll tonight back at home.
The pace of play will without a doubt be dictated by this Michigan squad. They are ranked as the second fastest team at home this season. Michigan is going to force this Penn State team to lace their shoes up tight in this one. Expect some Nittany Lions players to have their hands on their hips late in this ball game.
Inside their home gym this season, the Wolverines own the sixth best offense. They do an incredible job attacking the rim, where they are ranked first in two-point percentage. They also excel at generating second chance points and getting to the line at a high rate.
Good Luck Lions
Penn State will be the worst team Michigan has faced since January 6, which was the last time these two teams met. Michigan scored only 74 points in that 74 to 72 win over the Nittany Lions. Now back in Ann Arbor, this team should be out for blood against a defense that ranks dead last in effective field goal percentage allowed on the road.
Overall, the Nittany Lions have been abysmal away from home, especially on the defensive end. Michigan is the most efficient team in the country on the interior, while Penn State ranks dead last in two-point defense. That combination is a recipe for things to get ugly. Michigan is not an elite three-point shooting team, but that is a bonus when facing a defense that ranks second worst in three-point percentage allowed. Penn State does a solid job avoiding fouls, but with how consistently Michigan gets to the rim, fouls should pile up, and so will the points.
This number feels a bit too low, as I can see the Wolverines scoring close to triple digits. Despite winning the first meeting, Michigan should be motivated to make a statement. With a game in Columbus on Sunday and nearly a week of rest behind them, this sets up as a perfect tune up spot at home.
