As Penn State prepares to face Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at 9:15 P.M on Wednesday night in the Bryce Jordan Center, few national prognosticators are giving the Nittany Lions a chance against the Terrapins. ESPN released its predictions for the Challenge last night, and here's what the experts had to say.
Bilas: Maryland -- Although a road game, the Terps have more talent.
Brennan: Maryland -- Maryland forward Jordan Williams is a budding star, and unless Talor Battle can sprout about 10 inches by Wednesday night, the Nittany Lions won’t be able to stop him.
Fraschilla: Maryland -- The Terps should grind out a road win in State College.
Gottlieb: Maryland -- The Terps are better inside with Jordan Williams and though Talor Battle can win a game on his own, Maryland's size and pressure in the backcourt should hurt his percentages.
Katz: Maryland -- Penn State is having a hard time being relevant while the Terps continue to play tougher, no matter the venue.
Leung: Maryland -- The Terrapins' only losses are single-digit ones to Pitt and Illinois, so Penn State should be no problem.
Averaging a double-double, Terp forward Jordan Williams is certainly a big threat to the Lions down low. However, with both forwards Jeff Brooks and David Jackson averaging double figures for Penn State, the battle of the frontcourt might not be as one sided as the experts say. The real mismatch might be in the backcourt, where guard Talor Battle is averaging just over 18 points per contest for the Lions while the Terps lack any guard averaging double figures.