Game:    (655) Penn St. (2-0) vs (656) Georgetown (2-0)
Time:      Thurs. 11/14/2019 6:30 PM EST at  Capital One Arena
Spread:  PK   ML: -110/-110 Total: 149  at 5Dimes
Tools:     Public Consensus | View Matchups | Bet This Game

The Gavitt Tipoff Games continue with a matchup between undefeated Penn State and Georgetown. The Nittany Lions travel to Washington, DC to take on the Georgetown Hoyas.  The Nittany Lions are (2-0) to start the season, having just beat Wagner 91-64. The Hoyas are (2-0), having beat Central Arkansas, 89-78.

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Penn State has four players who average in double figures and they can rely on a consistent play from their bench. Penn State obviously hasn’t faced an offense as good as Georgetown’s until this point, but there will be some carryover from some of the things they’ve teased early against weaker teams. Not only are they forcing difficult shots, but they are opportunistic in cashing in on takeaways. 

Penn State scored 20 fast-break points last Saturday. They also forced 28 turnovers that eventually resulted in their win over Wagner. Turnovers were a clear issue for the Hoyas against Central Arkansas after they nearly lost the turnover battle against Mt. St. Mary’s. The Nittany Lions will be picking pockets and cashing in on fast-break points to eventually come away with a close win in what should be an epic thriller. I’m taking Penn State and the points.

GEORGETOWN HOYAS

The Hoyas rely on a deep roster to supply scoring, as they have four players score in double figures per game. The one player to watch is Yurtseven. If he is able to dominate inside by making contested shots and snatching rebounds off the glass, Georgetown could control the tempo of this game. However, he could be in for quite the workload in keeping up with the Nittany Lions on the court. They’re going to force the ball up the floor fast, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Hoyas’ center struggles with the pacing of the game at some point. It could force Ewing to consider going with a smaller lineup at times.

Extra Notes/Summary

This game should be a matchup of conflicting tempos. Since the 2018-19 season, Georgetown has preferred to play up-tempo (20th in possessions per game), while Penn State has been more methodical (214th in possessions per game). Both teams like to score a lot but they both also rely on their defense to win games. 

Data Points to:   Georgetown / Over

Fade the Public points to:   Penn St, Under

TRENDS:

• Nittany Lions are 10-1-2 ATS in their last 13 games overall.

• Nittany Lions are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games against teams in the Big East.

• Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight-up win.

• Nittany Lions are 6-1-2 ATS in their last 9 games following an ATS win.

• Hoyas are 18-42-1 ATS in their last 61 home games.

• Hoyas are 11-29 ATS in their last 40 non-conference games.

• Hoyas are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up win.