Penn State vs. Michigan: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

Two more teams will get their Big Ten schedule underway on Thursday when the Penn State Nittany Lions travel to take on the Michigan Wolverines. 

Penn State enters the game at 8-5 and unranked. Michigan is 10-2; they are No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the USA Today Poll.

Michigan won both meetings against Penn State a season ago, winning the game in Michigan 76-69.

Where: Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

When: Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Watch: Big Ten Network.

Listen: Penn State Sports Network. Full list of local affiliates here. Full list of Michigan affiliates here. Streamed on-line at GoBlue.com.

Spread

Michigan (-12.5), according to VegasInsider.

This is a good spread and can go either way. Even though they're at home, Michigan is a young team. I don't like them in a real blowout, so I am going under. Just not by much.

Key Injuries

Per USA Today, Penn State has no injuries to report.

Michigan F Jon Horford is questionable with a foot injury. 

What's at Stake

This is the conference opener for both schools.

Penn State is 8-5 in non-conference play, but they will certainly need some big conference wins come tournament time. The Big Ten is a tough conference this year. Even though it's early, a big road win against a ranked team would be huge.

As for Michigan, it doesn't appear as though their standing in the NCAA Tournament will be in doubt. They're ranked No. 16, so they would need a terrible league-season to risk missing out. Still, losing at home to an unranked opponent would be a bad thing.

What They're Saying

Following their 74-67 win against Cornell, Ben Jones of the State College News quoted Coach Pat Chambers, who was talking about what the team needs to do to consistently win:

"

We need to do the little things right. These are problems we can fix ourselves...I say it all the time: Do the ordinary extraordinary. Take care of the basketball and take shots. There are going to be nights when we don’t make shots, and that’s going to happen again. But as long as we’re defending and playing hard, we’re giving ourselves a chance.

"

Nick Baumgardner of AnnArbor.com wrote that during their win against Bradley, Michigan showed some potential flaws:

"

Though the Wolverines currently sit with a 10-2 record and a No. 20 national ranking, fans were given a reminder of one reality easily forgotten at times with this team.

They're still very, very young.

Sitting with a tie game at the break against a lesser opponent, Michigan's locker-room body language didn't resemble a confident team ready to hit the floor and make up for a sluggish first half.

The group, which starts three sophomores, one freshman and one senior, had a nervous look to it.

"

Penn State Player To Watch

Tim Frazier. This will apply to any Penn State game for the rest of the season. He leads the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. If he doesn't have a huge game against the Wolverines, it will be ugly. 

Michigan Player To Watch

Evan Smotrycz. He brings too much of an inside presence for Penn State to match. If he has even an average game, Penn State is in great position to win.

Key Matchup

Tim Frazier vs. Trey Burke. 

If Frazier can dominate this matchup and keep the game close, Penn State has a chance at winning. Otherwise, it's hard to see an upset coming from this one.

Prediction: Michigan 73, Penn State 61

The Wolverines have too many weapons here. Penn State will keep it reasonably close, but Michigan will be too much.

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