Another new Buzz feature comes just in time for Penn's tilt with Delaware tonight. Just like the name says on the tin, we'll look at whether the Quakers and their opponents will go over or under a certain number.
15-point win for the Blue Hens –UNDER
Since Delaware trumped Penn, 84-69, in the first round of this year’s NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament, both teams have taken a nosedive. Both teams have dropped seven of their last eight and are coming off of a double-digit loss to Villanova. But while UD is only averaging 2.7 points per game more than Penn, the Blue Hens' schedule has been much more daunting, including blowout losses to Pitt (which boasts the nation's seventh-ranked defense) and No. 2-ranked Duke. The key to keeping the game close for Penn will be limiting Devon Saddler’s production. The junior guard averages 20.5 points per game and has led the team in scoring in eight of the team’s 11 games. Expect Penn to use the 13-day break since the last game to figure out how to stop the Delaware offense and keep this game closer than the first meeting.
20 points for Fran Dougherty – OVER
Dougherty posted a career-high 21 points against Delaware in the second game of the season, a coming out party for him after he notched nine points in the opener against UMBC and averaged just 4.5 points per game a season ago. Fran hasn’t been shy to shoot this year, leading the team with 104 attempts and making them count with a 51.9 percent shooting percentage. Penn will need to lean on Dougherty to get by a Delaware team desperate to end their own troubles at home, and Doc has already shown what he can do to the Blue Hens.
Three Blue Hens in double figures – PUSH
Delaware's scoring has been balanced for the better part of this season. Four players have scored 10 or more points three times so far, and six players have reached double-digits in points during the season. This balance makes Delaware difficult to defend. Although they lean heavily on Saddler and senior forward Jamelle Hagins (who have been in double figures almost every game), the complementary scorers differ every game. If Penn focuses primarily on Delaware's biggest threats, look for multiple other players to get into double figures.
Three Quakers fouling out – UNDER
When these teams last met, Penn’s season was just unfolding. One issue that has plagued Penn all season long is team-wide foul trouble. In the Quakers' November matchup with the Blue Hens, Tony Hicks, Jamal Lewis and Miles Cartwright all fouled out of the game. There appears to be no indication yet that the Red and Blue have found a solution for their fouling woes, hacking Villanova 30 times in their last contest. But with almost two weeks off for finals and the end of the semester, one would think that the Quakers will be sending out less invitations to the charity stripe this time...right?
