Michigan is set to face Penn State tonight at 7:00 p.m. on FS1. This marks the third road game for Michigan this season in their pursuit of continued success.
Game Overview: Michigan vs. Penn State
Penn State, with an overall record of 9-5, has relied on a weak non-conference schedule for its wins. Currently ranked 353rd nationally in non-conference strength of schedule, the team has struggled significantly against ranked opponents.
Penn State’s Performance Against Top Teams
- Penn State has faced five top-100 opponents this season.
- The Nittany Lions hold a record of 0-5 in these matchups.
- They have lost competitively to Michigan State (76-72) and Illinois (73-65).
- However, they also experienced a 80-46 defeat to Pittsburgh and a 113-72 loss to Indiana.
In terms of offense, Penn State ranks 93rd in adjusted offensive efficiency. However, this ranking has slipped when facing strong opponents. Against top-100 teams, they averaged only .93 points per possession. Additionally, their effective field goal percentage has fallen below 51% in every one of those games.
Big Ten Conference Status
Currently, in three Big Ten games, Penn State ranks 16th in scoring output with .996 points per possession. Furthermore, the team is performing poorly in several metrics:
- 15th or worse in effective field goal percentage
- Offensive rebounding rate
- Free-throw rate
- Three-point shooting percentage
As Michigan prepares for this matchup, maintaining focus on offensive efficiency and defensive strategy will be key to overcoming the challenges posed by Penn State.
