Written By Francis Mizner
CHICAGO – For the first time since 2011, #10 seed Penn State is back to the Big Ten Tournament Championship. This time they will go up against #1 seed Purdue with a chance to clinch a ticket to the big dance.
Fresh off a win against #3 Indiana, Penn State (22-12, 10-10 Big Ten) has won eight of its previous nine with six quad-one wins in just 17 days.
Purdue ranks fifth nationally is 28-5 and 15-5 in Big Ten. The Boilermakers are coming off an 80-66 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes and look to capture their first Big Ten title since 2009.
Series History
Purdue has dominated Penn State in the past. They hold a series lead of 45-13 while winning their previous six matchups. Purdue has the regular season sweep over the Nittany Lions, their first bout being at the Palestra, resulting in a 76-63 victory, the next an 80-60 win at home.
Stats to Know
- Penn State is scoring 72.5 ppg and is hitting 46.5% from the field. The Nittany Lions have relied strongly on their three-point shot, making 10.5 threes a game.
- Purdue averaged 73.3 points offensively while hitting 46.2 from the field. Purdue favors interior scoring, thanks to Big Ten Player of the year Zach Edey, who averages 22.1 ppg.
- Defensively Penn State gives up 68.4 ppg and averages 4.4 steals.
- Purdue allows 62.7 ppg and steals the ball 4.8 times a game.
Penn State projected starting 5
G Jalen Pickett (Sr.+, 6’ 4”) 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 7.0 apg
G Andrew Funk (Sr.+, 6’ 5”) 12.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 apg
G Camren Wynter (Sr.+, 6’ 2”) 9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.9 apg
F Seth Lundy (Sr., 6’ 6”) 14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 apg
F Kebba Njie (Fr., 6’ 10”) 3.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.5 apg
Purdue projected starting 5
G Brandon Newman (Jr. 6’ 5”) 6.2 ppg 3.0 rpg, 1.1 apg
G Fletcher Loyer (Fr. 6’ 4”) 11.1 ppg 1.7 rpg 2.5 apg
G Braden Smith (Fr. 6’ 0”) 10.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.2 apg
F Mason Gillis (Jr. 6’ 6”) 6.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg
C Zach Edey (Jr., 7’ 4”) 22.1 ppg, 128 rpg, 1.6 apg
What’s Next
Following the Big Ten title game, both teams will learn about their postseason opponent and location on the NCAA Selection Sunday show. The show will air on CBS on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT.
Francis Mizner covers Penn State Basketball for Insider Institute, Follow him @MiznerFrancis1
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