Over/Under – Wagner Edition

Our second Over/Under focuses on Penn's battle with Wagner. Who's over and who's under?

15 bench points for Penn – Over Penn has had fewer that 15 points from its bench just three times this season. But Penn's 83-60 loss at Delaware marked the lowest total of the season with just nine. This was due to the fact that Penn lacked three starters and dressed just seven players. The key to bench contribution will be based on how many players are back in uniform. If all three of the suspended starters return, Jamal Lewis, Dau Jok, and Camryn Crocker can move back to the bench where they provide a combined 10.3 points per game. Freshman Tony Hicks, averaging another 5.1 points per contest, would be an important addition to the bench should he be allowed to return. Even if all the suspended players plus the injured Simeon Esprit are again unable to play, Penn needs more of a contribution from the reserves in order to compete and improve upon its average of 62.2 points per game, good for 285th nationally.

16 Points for Jonathon Williams – Under The leading scorer for Wagner, senior guard Jonathon Williams, averages 15.9 points per contest. Although Penn has allowed nine players to score more than 16 points against them, this team tries to make its mark on the defensive end of the court. Coach Jerome Allen will have his players ready to defend after giving up more than 80 for the second time this season in their last game. No other Seahawk averages double-digit scoring, so it is reasonable to expect a heavy focus on stopping Williams. The biggest concern for Penn could be if Williams gets to the free throw line, where he has made 82.6 percent of his shots this year. Although Williams is averaging just 4.6 free throws per game, Penn ranks 344 of 345 teams nationally in the foul department at 23.8 per game. But there's almost nowhere to go but up for Penn’s foul trouble so expect some improvement in that area.

10-point loss for Penn – Over Wagner has won three of its last four and is 2-0 at home this season. One of those wins was an eight-point victory over Princeton, a team that has looked more competitive than Penn so far this season. The Quakers are 0-6 when playing outside The Palestra and five players will be a coach’s decision after violating team rules. If all five players are forced to sit this game, this game could be the fourth straight double-digit loss for Penn. Last season marked the first time these two programs met. Wagner came away with a six- point win at The Palestra against a much stronger Penn squad. Additionally, Penn is already 0-3 when playing on Saturday this year. With players' fates up in the air and playing on the road, this game will be tough to win for the Red and Blue, let alone keep close.

Two more non-conference wins for Penn – Under Not much has gone right this season for the program trying to become the 11th nationally to reach 1700 wins. After being denied that milestone on three consecutive occasions, having five players suspended for what may have been failed drug tests, and coming into the season with no seniors on the roster, there is not much hope for the Red and Blue to turn the ship around. The Quakers have seven more contests outside of the Ivy League. Three of those are Big 5 opponents and a fourth contest is against Butler (9-2), who already knocked off previously No. 1-ranked Indiana. That leaves Wagner, Lafayette and NJIT as the best opportunities for wins. With so many disappointing losses already, chances are two more non-conference wins is not going to happen.