CBB Preview: Jacksonville State @ Penn State

PSU Forward Lamar Stevens will need to have another big game for the Nittany Lions tonight with Mike Watkins out.

I thought I would do a quick preview of tonight's Jacksonville State and Penn State game since I will be attending the game.  I have Penn State ranked #35 and Jacksonville State traveling in ranked #189.  My projected spread for the game is Penn State -16 and I can see some value on the current Vegas number of Penn State -12.5.

• Penn State 1-0
• 226 North Florida (W 87-72)
• Jacksonville State 0-1
• at 312 Samford (L 72-92)

Projected Starting Lineups
Note: Stats are from last season unless noted

Penn State
G Josh Reaves (SR, 6-4)(10.6 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 3.1 Ast)
G Jamari Wheeler (SO, 6-1)(2.0 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 1.4 Ast)
G Myles Dread (FR, 6-4)(17 Pts, 2 Reb, 2 Ast in 31 Minutes vs. North Florida)
F John Harrar (SO, 6-9)(1.6 Pts, 2.1 Reb, 0.1 Ast)
F Lamar Stevens (JR, 6-8)(15.5 Pts, 5.9 Reb, 1.9 Ast)

Bench
G Rasir Bolton (FR, 6-2)(13 Pts, 3 Reb, 6 Ast in 22 Minutes vs. North Florida)
F Trent Buttrick (SO, 6-8)(4 Pts, 2 Reb in 20 Minutes vs. North Florida)
G Myreon Jones (FR, 6-3)(2 Pts, 1 Reb in 14 Minutes vs. North Florida)
F Deivis Zemgulis (SR, 6-6)(0 Pts, 2 Reb, 2 Ast in 5 Minutes vs. North Florida)
C Satchel Pierce (SR, 7-0)(DNP in first game)
F Daniil Kastakin (FR, 6-9)(DNP in first game)

Out
F Mike Watkins (JR, 6-9)(12.1 Pts, 8.9 Reb, 0.7 Ast)(Out indefinitely)
G Kyle McCloskey (FR, 6-5)(Villanova QB, transferred to play basketball, ineligible until late Dec)



Jacksonville State
G Marlon Hunter (JR, 6-3)(10.4 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 1.1 Ast)
G Detrick Mostella (SR, 6-1)(10.5 Pts, 3.9 Reb at Tennessee in 2016-17 before dismissed)
G Ty Hudson (JR, 6-1)(0.6 Pts, 0.3 Ast at Clemson in 2016-17, former #129 ranked recruit in 2015)
F Jason Burnell (SR, 6-7)(11.2 Pts, 6.0 Reb, 1.8 Ast)
F Christian Cunningham (SR, 6-7)(7.6 Pts, 7.1 Reb, 0.5 Ast)

Bench
G Jamall Gregory (JR, 6-4)(8.4 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 2.9 Ast)
G Derek St. Hilaire (JR, 5-11)(15.3 Pts at Gordon State College in 2016-17)
F Maros Zeilznak (FR, 6-11)(0 Pts, 1 Reb, 1 Ast in 9 Minutes @Samford)
G Maurice Dunlap (SR, 6-2)(3 Pts, 2 Reb in 17 Minutes @Samford)
F Jacara Cross (JR, 6-8)(4 Pts, 2 Reb in 12 Minutes @Samford)
G DeTorrion Ware (FR, 6-5)(1 Pt, 1 Reb in 7 Minutes @Samford)

Prediction

Mike Watkins being out for Penn State is a huge loss and would definitely be a huge help in this matchup.  Jacksonville State has a veteran front court that will look to impose its will on the Nittany Lions.  In its first game, the Gamecocks' big name transfers struggled and it will interesting to see how they do against a Top-50 team like Penn State.  I think Jacksonville State keeps it close early in the game with its starters on the floor, but falters when the bench has to contribute.  Penn State has a very capable bench and the freshman looked good last game.  Penn State wins this matchup, but watch for Jacksonville State to be a darkhorse in the Ohio Valley Conference come March.

Penn State 78, Jacksonville State 62