The Big Green visit the Palestra tonight after losing yet another second half lead last night at Princeton. The freshmen continue to produce and get valuable court time, but the experience has yet to translate into victories for 0-7 Dartmouth. On the other hand, a frustrated Penn team held Harvard's most potent weapons to 1-15 shooting from the field last night and still lost 56-50. Zack Rosen took the blame for the loss, having shot 6-21 from the field. Penn will look to get back on the right foot tonight, while being in the uncomfortable position of having to root for rivals Princeton against Harvard. If the Tigers can pull the upset at Jadwin, all is not lost for Penn, as the Quakers would still control their own destiny, though it would of course necessitate winning at Harvard.
Keys to the Game
Dartmouth's strength is on the wing and inside. Maldunas needs to dominate Brooks on offense. If the Green can limit turnovers and make good passes inside, the big Lithuanian can have a big game. Jvonte Brooks has been on a tear as well–Penn needs to stop his penetration and get out in transition with their dangerous backcourt weapons. Rosen should be able to carve up the Big Green defense for a big game, especially after having an off-night against Harvard. A double-double is definitely in play for the senior leader if his shooters can knock down their open looks tonight. If Dartmouth can somehow find a way to slow the Quakers down and force some tough shots from Bernardini and Belcore, Dartmouth should be able to keep it close. Of course, this would require Dartmouth to close a game with a good second half, and we just haven't seen this team hold any sort of lead all year in the final twenty.
Prediction
Dartmouth does manage to keep it close for a half, but we see the same old story from the young Green, as Penn pulls away behind a Rosen double-double in the second frame, moving to 6-2 with three weekends to go in the season, while Dartmouth is forced to
endure the long road back to Hanover still winless. Penn 71, Dartmouth 59.