Purdue Boilermakers vs Penn State Nittany Lions: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA

When: Thursday, January 31st at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV): Fox Sports 1

Purdue (Away)

Head Coach: Matt Painter {Overall: 14-6 .700 W/L% | Conference: 7-2, 3rd Big Ten}

Purdue come into this match as one of the country’s top offensive schemes. Ranked in the top 20 in the country in offensive efficiency, the Boilermakers have been able to penetrate stingy defences through their disciplined offence.

Led by junior guard Carsen Edwards, Purdue have a number of offensive options available to them on the court. Edwards has shown himself to be a savvy guard, leading a Purdue team that is in the top 25 in the country in turnovers. Their ability to take care of the ball until they reach the optimal scoring opportunity has served them well.

Purdue is coming off of an upset victory over Michigan, where at one point they were leading by 23 points. While they let Michigan within four points by the end of the match, Matt Painter’s side was able to stave off the Michigan attack. Penn State is a weaker squad, but their 70th ranked offensive rebound rate and steal rate in the country shows that they are motivated if not as skilled as other squads.

Penn State (Home)

Head Coach: Patrick Chambers {All-Time 7-13 .350 W/L% |Conference: 0-9, 14th Big Ten}

Penn State have put together one of the more forgettable seasons of their history. Most recently, the team lost at home, 64-60 to Rutgers. The Nitty Lions still lack a victory in the Big Ten and there are serious questions as to how far back this season sets the program back.

Head coach Patrick Chambers is certainly on the hot seat this season. Despite having a team of players that are athletic and capable on the inside, the team has failed to devise an offensive scheme that enables them to utilize their skillset to its maximum.

While talent may be the main issue with the squad, heart certainly isn’t. Lamar Stevens, Mike Watkins, and Josh Reaves all put in excellent shifts on the glass while Myles Dread, Rasir Bolton, and Josh Reaves have proven themselves capable from range. Purdue is a giant in the Big Ten, but if Penn State can combine their hustle with an organized offensive plan, they could steal one from the Boilermakers.

Purdue Roster Notes

C Emmanuel Dowuona – 11 Jan 2019 – Dowuona is a Redshirt and is out for the season.

Penn State Roster Notes

F Satchel Pierce – 14 Dec 2018 – Pierce is ruled OUT for the season due to academic reasons.

Head-to-Head: Carsen Edwards vs Lamar Stevens

Carsen Edwards

Point Guard | 6-1, 190lb (185cm, 86kg) | Atascocita High School | Atascocita, TX | Junior

24.2 PPG | 3.5 APG | 3.4 RPG | 1.7 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 3.2 TOV | .410 FG% | .376 3P%

Lamar Stevens

Forward | 6-8, 226lb (203cm, 102kg) | Roman Catholic | North Wales, PA | Junior

18.7 PPG | 1.9 APG | 7.8 RPG | 0.5 SPG | 0.7 BPG | 2.8 TOV | .420 FG% | .203 3P%

When Purdue and Penn State meet, one team will be looking to extend their winning streak while the other will be looking to end an awful losing streak. They are led by two upstart Juniors, Carsen Edwards and Lamar Stevens. Both bring different games to the court, but will be looking to establish themselves in order to benefit their side.

Carsen Edwards is a shot-happy point guard who is fully committed to leading Purdue on the offensive end. He has been one of the main catalysts for the Boilermakers this season due to his ability to score and his improved playmaking prowess. In their win over Michigan, Edwards was unable to find his range. Streaky as always, if he can’t score over Penn State’s zone, he may have a tough time impacting the game.

Lamar Stevens is an all-heart player. He’s got great size for the NCAA level and has made it a point to develop his perimeter game in order to benefit his future. While he continues to score on the inside through sheer force of will, his attempts to improve his perimeter offence are yet to meet the standard of his inside game. If Purdue collapse on him, it’ll be a tough night for Stevens.

Purdue at Penn State Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have Purdue favoured over Penn State by 6, with an over/under of 110.