The Big Ten has four games on Saturday, highlighted by a massive matchup between Arkansas and Michigan State at night. It could tell a lot about both teams.
Let’s take a look at the schedule.
Game of the Day:
-No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 22 Michigan State Spartans
- Time/TV: 7:00 PM ET (FOX)
- KenPom Spread: Michigan State by 2
Under Tom Izzo,
the Spartans have consistently played one of the more challenging non-conference slates and fans will be able to see that on Saturday night, as Michigan State tangles with a talented Arkansas squad at home. Michigan State will be hoping for its first big win of the season and and the Razorbacks are hoping to keep last year’s surprising postseason success going.
The main battle figures to be in the backcourt, where Jeremy Fears will face off against DJ Wagner and Darius Acuff. Fears is probably the most proven of the group, but the Arkansas duo is definitely talented and it’s unclear who the Spartans have as a reliable option alongside Fears. Kur Teng had a reasonable debut as the starter on Monday, but doing it against Colgate and doing it against Arkansas are two different things. If the Spartans are going to come out on top, it’s probably going to take quite an effort from Teng.
Interestingly, both sides are relatively uncertain upfront. Trevon Brazile is back for Arkansas upfront after an inconsistent career and the Spartans will likely rely on Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. Like Teng above, Cooper and Kohler were good against Colgate, but will have to step up here. This is where the home court could be a boost and carry Michigan State to a win. Get a little better games out of the role players than Arkansas and a win could be there for the taking.
All told, this looks like a close one that could swing either way. It’s likely going to come down to the role players and three-point shooting.
- Pick: Michigan State
The Rest:
-Alcorn State Braves at Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Time/TV: 12:00 PM ET (Peacock)
- KenPom Spread: Minnesota by 21
The Gophers cruised to a win against Gardner Webb earlier this week and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue on Saturday at home against a terrible Alcorn State squad. The Braves at 0-2 and got blasted in their opener to Florida State on Tuesday. This will be Alcorn State’s third game in just five days after traveling down south early on. If Minnesota even plays reasonably, it should win. This could be a good opportunity to get freshman Kai Shinholster some playing time.
- Pick: Minnesota
-Florida International Panthers at Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Time/TV: 1:00 PM ET (BTN+)
- KenPom Spread: Nebraska by 17
The Huskers got off to a nice start on Monday, taking care of business against West Georgia, and will hope to keep things rolling on Saturday against FIU. The Panthers enter rated 192nd nationally on KenPom, which isn’t great, but is more than 100 spots higher than West Georgia, so the competition level should pick up considerably for Nebraska, all things considered. The Panthers also scored 101 in the team’s opener, thanks to 25 from forward Larry Olayinka, so this one could be a bit feistier than some are hoping. It should be a good opportunity for Braden Frager and Rienk Mast to prove their worth.
- Pick: Nebraska
-Penn State Nittany Lions at New Haven Chargers
- Time/TV: 1:00 PM ET (NEC Front Row)
- KenPom Spread: Penn State by 18
Saturday will be the first time Penn State and New Haven have met, with the Chargers only recently ascending to Division I. And, as one might expect, their roster reflects that, entering the season at a brutal 362nd nationally on KenPom. In fact, New Haven is coming off two losses already this week and enter Saturday’s game at 0-2. The most recent came at home to a pretty weak Columbia squad. This is a game Penn State should win fairly comfortably, even on the road.
- Pick: Penn State
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Picks Record This Season: 3-0
