Less than three weeks after their last matchup, Penn State travels to Minneapolis to take on the Gophers.

Scouting the Opposition

The Gophers are still led by 6’11’’ Dawson Garcia. The senior forward is coming off of a 32-point, eight-rebound performance against UCLA, including making three of his six shots beyond the arc. Last time out against the Nittany Lions, Garcia was held to his season average 19 points, but grabbed 14 rebounds. Obviously, that can’t happen today. Guard Lu’Cye Patterson had 14 points in the win at the BJC and will also need to be contained.

What to Watch For

Can they do it again?

In their last matchup against Nebraska, Penn State did what they have failed to do so often in recent times-shoot well and rebound. The Nittany Lions may have only out-rebounded Nebraska by five, but after their porous efforts recently, any margin is appreciated. Against a big man like Garcia, hitting the glass will be even more crucial in this one.

Take it to the perimeter

One way of neutralizing an interior threat like the Gophers have is to attack the defense (and offense) with frenetic play by the guards. This style is Ace Baldwin’s bread-and-butter, and something that fellow perimeter players like D’Marco Dunn and Freddie Dilione (as well as Nick Kern and Zach Hicks, for that matter) do very well. If the guards can pour it on, Minnesota will be in trouble.

Hit the trey

Self-explanatory. Penn State needs to hit open shots like they did against the Huskers (at a 60% clip, mind you). Hicks also knocked down five shots from behind the arc, and he will need to come close to replicating this performance for Penn State to earn their second-straight victory.

Prediction

After seeing Penn State play the last several weeks, I just don’t have faith that they can reproduce the effort they put forth against Nebraska.

Minnesota 76, Penn State 72