Free Pick | NCAA Basketball | Nov. 10

#306645 Loyola-Maryland +18.5 over Penn State 6:00 PM CT

Penn State delivered an impressive opening performance beating a usually decent Winthrop team 93-68. A big game with Butler is up early next week as this could certainly be an overlooked early season contest grading as the weakest foe in the first four on the schedule for the Nittany Lions. While this is an experienced Penn State team Camren Wynter and Andrew Funk are transfers jumping into big roles as only two starters were starters last season. Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy were the highest volume 3-point shooters on last season’s team, but they shot 32 percent and 35 percent respectively and no longer having Sam Sessoms to run the offense of John Harrar to throw into the post with could make for a significant adjustment for this team. Penn State played at one of the slowest paces in the nation last season under Micah Shrewsberry and that didn’t change in the opener despite 93 points as this is going to be a risky team in the heavy favorite role. Penn State made 18 3-point shots in the opener and shot 55 percent overall for success rates that will be difficult to match. Loyola Maryland lost by only six at DePaul for a solid opening night showing. A late flurry made the final a few points closer than likely deserved but the Greyhounds hit 10 3-points shots and stayed close even with a terrible free throw shooting performance with nine misses at the line. 6’10” Golden Dike gives Loyola Maryland a legit interior presence while veteran Kenneth Jones has been an outstanding 3-point shooter in his career. Four of five starters played for Tavaras Hardy last season in a competitive 14-16 campaign and the Greyhounds also are comfortable at a slow pace as the underdog points are appealing in a game with a total in the low 130s. Loyola Maryland was only +14 at DePaul Monday and while Penn State projects to be a stronger team than DePaul this season, the contrast in pace should offset the spread difference to some degree yet the Greyhounds are catching a significantly higher number tonight.