How to watch and what to know about Penn State men’s basketball in the next week
Penn State men’s basketball has three games in the next week, with two at home and one on the road.
The Nittany Lions will take on two opponents in rematches at home before facing a new opponent this season on the road. They’ll play the Michigan State Spartans Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center, before returning to the BJC again Thursday to play Minnesota at 4 p.m.
Then they’ll head to College Park Monday to play the Maryland Terrapins at 7 p.m.
Here’s everything you need to know about the matchups.
How to watch — Michigan State
Who: Michigan State Spartans (18-6, 9-4) at Penn State Nittany Lions (9-12, 4-9)
When: 6:30 p.m. (ET), Tuesday, Feb. 15 | Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: Big Ten Network | Livestream: FoxSportsGo
Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)
How to watch — Minnesota
Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-10, 3-10) at Penn State Nittany Lions (9-12, 4-9)
When: 4 p.m. (ET), Thursday, Feb. 17 | Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: Big Ten Network | Livestream: FoxSportsGo
Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)
How to watch — Maryland
Who: Penn State Nittany Lions (9-12, 4-9) at Maryland Terrapins (11-14, 3-11)
When: 7 p.m. (ET), Monday, Feb. 21 | Where: Xfinity Center
TV: ESPN2 | Livestream: WatchESPN
Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)
Player to watch
Senior guard Jalen Pickett: Penn State has relied heavily on its two best primary ball handlers to create offense in senior guards Jalen Pickett and Sam Sessoms and the Lions have been at their best when both are hitting shots. That hasn’t always been the case this season, with the two seniors seemingly trading off when they’re playing well. When Pickett is on, Sessoms has fallen into slumps, and when Sessoms is on, Pickett has fallen into slumps. Of late, the latter has been the case. Pickett hasn’t been at his best while playing a monstrous number of minutes — 166 minutes in four games, one of which went to double overtime — and is looking to break out of his poor shooting displays recently. He hasn’t gone on extended cold stretches this season, but will need to break out of this one for Penn State to find success over the next week.
Matchup to watch
Penn State vs. Michigan State forward Gabe Brown: The first matchup between Penn State and Michigan State included a good shooting night for the Spartans and a poor one for the Nittany Lions. The Spartans were led by Gabe Brown, who had a team high seven attempts and a team high four makes from beyond the arc. Brown has improved as a shooter in from year to year as he continues to increase his volume from deep and make 3-pointers at an efficient mark. He’s been the team’s most reliable threat from beyond the arc and a likely option for Penn State junior forward Seth Lundy to tail on defense. Lundy has been one of the best wing defenders in the Big Ten this season and will need to stay close to Brown if he draws that matchup when the two teams face off Tuesday evening.
Quotables
Penn State guard Dallion Johnson on starting :
“I’d say it’s definitely boosted my confidence a little bit. It’s been nice knowing the coaching staff and my teammates believe in me like that. It’s been a blessing so far.”
