Penn State Vs. Indiana Basketball Preview: Lions Look for Sweep
The Penn State men's basketball team got a needed win, in a vibrant environment, on Wednesday. Now, the Nittany Lions return "home" to the Bryce Jordan Center, where they last won Feb. 8.
Can Penn State put together a win streak, and some momentum, headed into the Big Ten Tournament? Here's what we're watching in Saturday's Penn State vs. Indiana game.
Penn State (13-14, 7-9 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (14-12, 6-9)
When: Noon ET Saturday
Where: Bryce Jordan Center, State College, Pa.
TV: Big Ten Network
Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)
Series history: Indiana leads 42-16
Last meeting: Penn State 85-71 on Feb. 3, 2024
KenPom rankings: Penn State is No. 94; Indiana is No. 104
NCAA NET rankings: Penn State is No. 97; Indiana is No. 105
About the Nittany Lions: Well, that was wild. Penn State trailed No. 12 Illinois by eight points with 35 seconds remaining in its Return to Rec Hall on Wednesday. But buoyed by Illinois' mini-meltdown (a turnover and two missed free throws), the Nittany Lions somehow pieced together a charmed 90-89 victory. Yay, court-storming! It was a spectacular night for a growing program, one that needed a jolt of something. The win isn't going to get Penn State into the NCAA Tournament but might begin another step forward in the program's evolution. To demonstrate progress, the Lions need to win at home again. Penn State defeated Indiana by 14 points in early February, when they shot a season-high 57.4 percent. Coach Mike Rhoades can't bank on that kind of repeat production (the Lions are too inconsistent offensively) but has a hot shooter. Zack Hicks is averaging 14.7 points and 47.4 percent from 3-point range in his last six games, helping ease the offensive loss of Kanye Clary. Hicks calmly made three free throws late to stun Illinois. He's growing into a more rounded offensive player.
About the Hoosiers: Who would have guessed that Penn State, with a sub-.500 record and first-year coach, would rank higher in KenPom than the Hoosiers? Or that Penn State could sweep the regular-season series for the first time since 2009? According to ESPN, Indiana coach Mike Woodson could be in for a big-buyout payday if he doesn't make the NCAA Tournament (and gets fired). Indiana brings a three-game losing streak to State College and needs the win far more desperately than Penn State, particularly after losing by 15 at home to Nebraska on Wednesday. Kel'el Ware had 25 points and 11 rebounds against the Lions in February, so he should generate much of the attention. But leading scorer Malik Reneau (15.7 ppg) is averaging 17.6 on the road this season.
More on Penn State Basketball
Penn State Basketball on SI.com
Penn State stuns No. 12 Illinois at Rec Hall
Penn State parts ways with top scorer Kanye Clary
Penn State's offense falls flat in loss to Nebraska
Penn State lets an opportunity slide at Northwestern
Ace Baldwin Jr. leads Penn State to third straight win
Penn State scores first road win at Indiana since 2014
Without Kanye Clary, Penn State wins on the road at Rutgers
Penn State women's basketball drives toward NCAA Tournament return
Makenna Marisa makes Penn State basketball history
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
