Basketball PREVIEW/GAME THREAD: Penn State Hoops versus Illinois on Tuesday

[Erial_Lion]

I understand the home court advantage but I struggle to believe we have a better chance to beat Rutgers and Maryland than we have to beat Ohio State and Northwestern.

IMO the path to the NCAA tournament would look like this:
Currently 15-11
MINN 16-11 (they're not good)
OSU 17-11 (agree better than record but must win)
RUT 17-12 (can't stop their big guy)
NW 18-12 (tough road game but must win)
MD 18-13 (tough even at home)

Then win at least one game in the BiG tournament which will be difficult against a strong opponent in Chicago. That would get us to 19-14 and give us a chance.

The losses to Michigan & Nebraska were killers.

Under that scenario, our win in Chicago would likely be on Wednesday over Minnesota. We'd need at least one, and more likely two more wins out there to have much of a chance.

Rutgers is playing like a different team since the Mag injury (he was arguably their most valuable player this season). Ken and Bart's ratings don't take injuries into account, but I'd say Rutgers is definitely the 2nd easiest game left (though still a tough one of course). I'd say that Ohio State is clearly the toughest one left, as I still really like the way we match up with Northwestern (though they are really defending over the past few weeks).

 

[bdgan]

Under that scenario, our win in Chicago would likely be on Wednesday over Minnesota. We'd need at least one, and more likely two more wins out there to have much of a chance.

Rutgers is playing like a different team since the Mag injury (he was arguably their most valuable player this season). Ken and Bart's ratings don't take injuries into account, but I'd say Rutgers is definitely the 2nd easiest game left (though still a tough one of course). I'd say that Ohio State is clearly the toughest one left, as I still really like the way we match up with Northwestern (though they are really defending over the past few weeks).

I hope you're right about the MAG injury but I'm more worried about Omoruyi. He scored 16 on us with 6-7 shooting. He also had 10 rebounds. PSU doesn't have anybody to match up with him.

I'm assuming we would pass either Michigan or Wisconsin and get a 1st round bye if we finish 3-2 (9-11). Maybe not.