Penn State looking to keep momentum rolling against Iowa

The Nittany Lions return home to the Bryce Jordan Center Thursday night to host the Hawkeyes in another Big Ten matchup.

After starting the season 0-4 in away games, the blue and white won both games on their most recent road trip, first against Rutgers 61-46 and then against Indiana 85-71.

What’s even more impressive is that both wins came without their leading scorer, Kanye Clary, who is dealing with an injury and is listed as “day-to-day” for Thursday’s game.

Clary’s health will be a major factor in the contest as the offense runs through him and it will be difficult to replace his average of 18.4 points per game.

In Clary’s absence, D’Marco Dunn has stepped up in the starting lineup, putting up double-digit scoring efforts in both games.

Another player who has improved as of late is Nick Kern Jr., who is mainly known for his defense, but it is his offense that has risen to another level.

Through the first 13 games of the season, Kern Jr. averaged 5.8 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the floor. However, through the last nine games, he has averaged 10.1 points per game on an efficient 55.7% field goal percentage.

Inconsistency has been a theme all season, but with more players getting involved in the offense, there are signs that this success can be sustained long term.

On the other end of the court, the Iowa Hawkeyes come into University Park with an overall record of 13-9 and a 5-6 record in conference play.

Iowa is second in the Big Ten with 84.2 points per game, with the ability to score in multiple ways.

Tony Perkins leads the Hawkeyes in scoring with 15.7 points per game, closely followed by the sharpshooter Payton Sandfort with 15.0 points per game.

Penn State’s defense will have its hands full on Thursday, and although it will take a team effort, a lot of the responsibility will fall on Ace Baldwin Jr.

Baldwin Jr. has been a menace to opposing ball handlers, disrupting passes and collecting steals at an elite level.

His 2.8 steals per game lead the Big Ten and he was one of 15 players to be named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist.

The Nittany Lions’ defense will be crucial, but it is Iowa’s defense that will be the main factor that determines the outcome of the game.

The Hawkeyes allow the second most points per game in the Big Ten with 77.2 points per game and their play on that end of the court has been up and down all season.

Penn State and Iowa find themselves in a similar position in the middle of the Big Ten standings, wanting to fight their way up.

Thursday night’s matchup will be an important opportunity to do so and should be a close game.

Christopher Reynolds is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.