Here’s a scouting report of both MSU and Penn State, with an idea of what’s to come on Wednesday.

Scouting Penn State

The Nittany Lions average 84.4 points per game on 49% shooting, with six players scoring in double figures.

Penn State is led by graduate guard Ace Baldwin Jr., who has averaged a team-high 13.9 points per game, on 37% shooting, and has gone 86-for-91 on free throws, or 94.5%. He also leads the team with eight assists and two steals per game.

Baldwin’s availability is uncertain due to a recent back injury that kept him out against Oregon. Without its conductor, Penn State will have a harder time clawing its way to a lead and eventual win, but if he plays he might give the Nittany Lions the spark needed to pull off an upset.

Baldwin and company are efficient at making the other team turn the ball over — their press defense has contributed to an average of over 16 opponent turnovers per game.

Junior forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser leads the team with 6.6 rebounds per game, just under one-fifth of the team’s total rebounds, but just about two are offensive rebounds. The 7-foot Switzerland native has a season-high of 15 rebounds against the University of Pennsylvania and seven blocks against Illinois.

If Niederhauser can find his footing and comfort in the Breslin, his rebounding and down-low points can help Penn State get closer to taking down the Spartans.

MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo recognized this threat prior to the bout.

"They’re going to create some problems for us, and we have to match up and pay attention to detail, strength in numbers, and players helping players," Izzo said.

Scouting MSU

This season, Michigan State has struggled from three-point range, an abysmal 29%, but excelled in finding points in the paint and free-throw shooting; the Spartans are one of the top teams in the nation with 82% from the charity stripe.

MSU averages 23 free throws per game, with five players attempting at least 35 this season. Senior forward Frankie Fidler, who has averaged 8.3 points per game, leads the team with 56 made free throws out of 61 attempts.

The Spartans have averaged 81.3 points per game, and senior guard Jaden Akins is the only player who has averaged double-digit points, with 14.1 points per game, on 45% shooting, along with close to four rebounds per game and 1.6 assists per game. He also leads the team with 26.5 minutes played per game, while nine players play over 15 minutes per game — a testament to MSU’s strength in numbers, its mantra this season.

Izzo said that MSU’s deep roster has proven to be beneficial throughout the season, especially in games that go down to the wire.

"People don’t get overtired. People are learning to play harder in the minutes they’re in there," Izzo said. "If an injury comes … I think we’re going to be at least a little more able to take that on."

The Spartans have four main bigs — junior forward Jaxon Kohler and senior center Szymon Zapala lead MSU's versatile frontcourt, whilst being supported by junior center Carson Cooper and sophomore forward Xavier Booker.

Kohler has become one of the most effective players on the squad. He has averaged 7.9 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game, the team-high. 

Redshirt freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and junior guard Tre Holloman have been the playmakers for MSU, and have a combined 15.3 points per game and 10.2 assists per game, over half the number of assists MSU has averaged.

For MSU to win, it’ll need to utilize its down-low play, getting to the line and deep roster. With it, MSU has a chance to keep the hot streak alive.

Izzo said that recently he had noticed a tone shift from the players, seeing new motivation from the Spartans.

"There was just a buzz in the locker room. I could tell they were ready to play," Izzo said. "Now the trick is can you keep them that way with the number of games to play?"

MSU and Penn State will tip off at 7:30 p.m. in the Breslin Center. Big Ten Network will air the game.