The final score of Penn State's win over Purdue last week might have given a slightly misleading impression. In reality, Penn State dominated the game much more easily than the 81 - 70 final suggested. This victory played a significant role in convincing numerous Associated Press poll voters to include Penn State in their top 25 rankings.

The Impact of the Week Six AP Poll

On Monday afternoon, the week six AP poll was released. To everyone's surprise, the Nittany Lions just missed out on the top 25 rankings and found themselves as the fifth team on the outside looking in. It has been a long time since Penn State men's basketball was last ranked in the AP poll, dating back to March 2nd, 2020.Currently, Penn State stands at 8 - 1 in their season, with a perfect 1 - 0 record in conference play. Their win against Purdue has led to a significant boost in their metric rankings. They are now ranked 18th in the NCAA NET rankings and 33rd in KenPom. Ace Baldwin Jr. has been the driving force for the Nittany Lions, averaging 15.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. What's remarkable is that six players are averaging over nine points per game, which is a true testament to the excellent coaching of head coach Mike Rhoades this season.Rutgers enters Tuesday's game with a 5 - 4 record and a 0 - 1 conference record. Head coach Steve Pikell managed to secure two top three 2024 recruits, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. These two players have led the Rutgers squad through the first nine games of the season. Combined, they are averaging 41 points per game. However, they are not getting much support from their teammates.For comparison, Rutgers is ranked 84th in the NET rankings and 74th in KenPom. A few weeks ago, they participated in the Players Era Festival tournament in Las Vegas. They went 1 - 2, winning against Notre Dame and former Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry in overtime but losing to two top 20 ranked teams, Alabama and Texas A&M. They also suffered a 80 - 66 loss in their opening conference game to Ohio State.

Highlighting the Stylistic Matchup

When it comes to the stylistic matchup between these two teams, several factors stand out. First and foremost, offensive rebounding will be crucial for Penn State. They need to be able to capitalize on missed shots and gain second-chance opportunities. On the other hand, Rutgers will have to defend against Penn State's offensive firepower.Ace Baldwin Jr., the experienced defensive artist for Penn State, will face off against Dylan Harper, the young phenom from Rutgers. Baldwin Jr.'s experience and defensive skills will be tested against Harper's raw talent. This matchup will be a key aspect of the game.

Penn State vs Rutgers Odds and Prediction

The odds for this game are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Please note that the lines are subject to change. In terms of the moneyline, Rutgers will have their work cut out for them. Spread-wise, it will be interesting to see how the teams perform. And when it comes to the total, it will depend on how both teams' offenses and defenses perform. Based on the current form and team dynamics, a prediction for this game is a close and exciting contest. Penn State will need to bring their A-game, while Rutgers will be looking to cause an upset.Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and it will be a battle to see who comes out on top. The stage is set for an intense showdown between Penn State and Rutgers.