RIDER GAMEDAY
Who: When: TV/ Radio: Big Ten Network/ 107.7FM The Bronc Last Time Out: Rider def. Wagner, 90-84 in overtime; Penn State def. Binghamton, 80-65
Series History: Penn State leads, 3-1
Background: The Broncs close out non-conference play with a trip to Happy Valley. The last Big Ten opponent Rider beat? You guessed it ... Penn State. The Broncs won that 2007 game, 82-73, at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando behind 21 points and 10 rebounds from Jason Thompson. Rider’s last victory over a power-conference school was a 77-57 victory over Southern California on Nov. 17, 2010.
From the Start: Coach Kevin Baggett inserted redshirt freshman Dimencio Vaughn into the starting lineup against Wagner and Vaughn produced 19 points and seven rebounds. It was Vaughn’s first-career start, but expect to see that look once again, especially since Vaughn brings energy defensively. The 6-5 southpaw is also one of the team’s best free throw shooters. He was 14-for-18 against Wagner. Welcome Back, Ben: Rider assistant coach Ben Luber played at Penn State from
The Nittany Lions have won three in a row since a onepoint loss to Wisconsin. All three of PSU’s setbacks have come against quality opposition (Texas A&M and NC State are the other two), while it has recorded victories against Pitt and Iowa. Guard Tony Carr will give the defensively-challenged Broncs trouble as he comes in averaging 19.5 points per game. The two teams have one common opponent (George Washington). PSU won by 20 at home, while the Broncs beat the Colonials by two in Washington.