Rutgers finished 20-13 last season after a loss to Michigan in the NIT Championship Game.
"The RAC is a hard place to play, but not any harder than teams we play in the Big Ten, but [the freshmen] get a taste really quickly of what that's all about," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "Are they ready for that, I don't know. We'll see."
Last time on the court, Penn State (3-2) barley produced a win off a rather inconsistent performance against Sacred Heart. Forward Travis Parker was benched for the majority of the second half because, according to DeChellis, the junior's intensity wasn't there. Guard Marlon Smith shot 3-of-13 from the field. Penn State missed 12 lay-ups in the first half.
There will be no room for such glitches if the Lions intend to put up a fight against Rutgers (2-0) of the Big East. Three players on the Scarlet Knights' roster average double digits in scoring. Guards Quincy Douby and Ricky Shields average a combined 38 of the 70 points per game scored by Rutgers. The Lions will have to contain Douby, the primary threat averaging 20.5 points, 3.5 assists and three rebounds per game.
"It will be different because their strength is their perimeter," DeChellis said. "They have very skilled players who can score."
Rutgers also utilizes a three-guard strategy, which will favor how the Lions match up against the Scarlet Knights, considering DeChellis runs a similar offense. Johnson will have to work harder underneath while battling forward Ollie Bail, who averages 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. But Johnson doesn't mind the challenge. In fact, he thrives off of it.
"It's basketball; it's not a matter of what team it is," Johnson said. "It's a matter of how we are gonna come to play. I want to play this team. There's no fear in my eyes. I can't wait to play them. I want to play them, the Pitts, the world, the Big Ten. Let's do it."
Johnson and Smith are the only Penn State starters who have previously competed in the all-too-familiar underdog role and in front of large and intimidating crowds. Starting freshmen Geary Claxton and Mike Walker, starting junior college transfer Parker and key reserve freshman Danny Morrissey will be exposed to the realm of big-time basketball for the first time tonight.
"This will be a big test for us and a real big opportunity for us," Walker said.
"If we get out and win a game like this against a team like Rutgers on the road, that will show a lot about our team."
And a whole lot about how this Penn State team will fare this season.
