Penn State vs. Nicholls State
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Bryce Jordan Center
Records: Penn State (1-0); Nicholls State (0-2).
Coaches: Ed DeChellis is 17-42 in three seasons at Penn State and 122-125 in 10 seasons overall. J.P. Piper is 7-22 in two seasons at Nicholls State.
Series: First game.
Last meeting: First game.
TV: None.
Radio: Penn State Radio Network (Steve Jones play by play, Dick Jerardi color).
Next up: Penn State plays host to Long Island Saturday (3:30 p.m.).
Probable starters: Penn State -- G Ben Luber, 6-0 Jr. (17.0), G David Jackson, 6-1 Jr. (4.0), F Geary Claxton, 6-5 So. (13.0), F Travis Parker, 6-5 Sr. (4.0), C Brandon, 6-10 So. (4.0). Nicholls State -- G Michael Czepil, 6-2 Fr. (5.5), G Cyril Djoukeng, 6-0 Sr. (5.5), F Stephan Blaszczynski, 6-5 Jr. (17.5), F Adonis Gray, 6-4 So. (2.0), C Chris Paige, 6-9 Fr. (5.5).
Notes: Penn State is looking to gobble up back-to-back wins to open the season for the first time since 2000-01. ... DeChellis wins Turkey of the Week honors for restoring the time-honored Jerry Dunn tradition of playing games on Thanksgiving Eve against overmatched opponents. Waiting until 7:30 p.m. to tip this thing is like adding lumpy gravy. ... PSU freshman center Joona Suotamo is having a not-so-happy holiday after missing the opener with what is being called a “stress reaction” in his left foot. Thankfully for the program, he is out for only two to three weeks. ... Nicholls was mashed in its first two games, against Indiana and LSU, by a combined 81 points.
Mirror prediction: Penn State 76, Nicholls State 58.
Comment: We have a sneaking suspicion the crowd won't be a factor in this one. Pass the stuffing, please.
FOS prediction record: 1-0.