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Big Ten Daily (Jan. 17): Rhoades Praises Team, Students in Penn State's Upset Win vs. Wisconsin

Kanye Clary and Ace Baldwin combined for 47 points, leading Penn State to an upset win over No. 11 Wisconsin on Tuesday night. The Badgers were the last team in the Big Ten to lose a conference game.

Dustin Schutte

Big Ten Daily (Jan. 17): Rhoades Praises Team, Students in Penn State's Upset Win vs. Wisconsin
Big Ten Daily (Jan. 17): Rhoades Praises Team, Students in Penn State's Upset Win vs. Wisconsin /
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There are no more undefeated teams in Big Ten play. The final domino fell on Tuesday night, with Penn State upsetting No. 11 Wisconsin 87-83 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Nittany Lions stars Kanye Clary and Ace Baldwin Jr.  were virtually unstoppable in the win.

Clary led the way with 27 points, shooting 11-of-20 from the floor. Baldwin added 20, making four of his five shots from 3-point range. It was one of the most complete performances for Penn State this season.

"I went at the guys in our scouting report meeting. I thought we showed signs of doing some cool things, but not enough," Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. "Some of it is just self-induced. Just not responding the right way to things.

"Today was a full game. Our guys played with clear minds. We did not respond to bad stretches or bad calls or a turnover or something that didn't go our way and let it prolong for three, four, five, six minutes and we lose the game. I just thought our resolve today was what it needs to be at this level."

Penn State set the tone early, jumping out to an early 12-2 lead in the first four minutes. The Nittany Lions rode that momentum to a 39-35 halftime lead over the Badgers.

Wisconsin made a run in the second half, taking a two-point lead at 70-68 with 5:01 remaining, thanks to a big 3-point shot from Max Klesmit. But Penn State refused to back down.

Nick Kern Jr. made four straight free throws on back-to-back possessions to regain the lead at 72-70. The Nittany Lions never looked back.

Clary hit some big shots down the stretch to secure the win for the Nittany Lions. When the final buzzer sounded, the students in attendance headed straight for the court.

"One hundred percent appreciation to our students. They were awesome," Rhoades said. "Just awesome. This is what college sports should be all about. Our students were awesome, I think they fueled us down the stretch."

With Penn State taking down Wisconsin, everyone in the Big Ten has a loss in conference play. Now the race for a league title can start to get a little more interesting.

No retirement plans for Tom Izzo

Because of Michigan State's struggles this season, there's been unfounded speculation that coach Tom Izzo might think about retirement. But that seems to be the furthest thing from his mind.

The Spartans were projected to be a contender in the Big Ten title race coming into the season. Things haven't gone according to plan, sitting with a 2-4 record in league play and a 10-7 mark overall. 

Has that lack of success forced Izzo to contemplate his future?

“I’m too stubborn to even think about doing it in the near future because I almost want to fight the system,” Izzo said in an interview with CBS' Matt Norlander. “And the system might get me. The system may get me. But the system may not get me, either.”

Whenever Izzo does decide to step away from the game, he doesn't plan to make it a big ordeal.

“I’ve never thought of what exactly I’ll do. I know what I won’t do,” Izzo said. “Jud had a farewell tour. Mike did. I have a lot of respect for those guys. I’m sure I’ll be more in the Jay Wright and Nick (Saban) way of doing it. When it’s over, it’s over and I’m walking away. 

"But I’ve got a good recruiting class, I’ve got an opportunity to coach my former player’s son, which I’m really looking forward to — (Jase) Richardson — I’m in a good place in every part for me, except the frustration of the day-to-day, never knowing where you are, you know? That’s hard.”

Zach Edey's hilarious post-game comment

Zach Edey didn't mess around at Assembly Hall on Tuesday night. The reigning National Player of the Year showed why he's the best player in the country, scoring 33 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking a shot in Purdue's 87-66 blowout win over Indiana.

Most players would be satisfied with that performance. Not Edey. After the game, he was asked how he continues to improve his game. 

Given the numbers he put up, his response was hilarious.

"I mean, I really feel like I didn't have a good game," Edey said. "I missed a lot a shots I feel like I should make. I feel like I can play a lot better."

Edey did miss 12 shots, going 11-of-23 from the floor in the win. So, he does have a point. Still, the response after a double-double performance and a 21-point win drew a bit of a laugh.

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Dustin Schutte
DUSTIN SCHUTTE

Dustin Schutte is a writer for Sports Illustrated/HoosiersNow.com. He has a more than a decade of experience covering the Big Ten Conference.

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