How to watch and what to know about Penn State men’s basketball in the next week
Penn State men’s basketball will play its final two home games of the season in the next week, taking on two of the bottom tier teams in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions will face off with the Northwestern Wildcats Friday night in the Senior Night game at the Bryce Jordan Center, when seven players will be honored. Four of those players — John Harrar, Greg Lee, Jaheam Cornwall and Jalanni White — are out of eligibility after this season while three of them — Sam Sessoms, Myles Dread and Jalen Pickett — can all return thanks to the NCAA’s ruling that gave all athletes competing during the 2020-2021 season an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Penn State defeated the Wildcats — who are 13-13 overall and 6-11 in the Big Ten — on the road in early January, 74-70.
The Lions will then battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers Sunday night in their final home game of the season. The Huskers are 7-20 overall and 1-15 in the Big Ten on the season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the matchups.
How to watch — Northwestern
Who: Northwestern Wildcats (13-13, 6-11) at Penn State Nittany Lions (11-13, 6-10)
When: 7 p.m. (ET), Friday, Feb. 25 | Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: Fox Sports 1 | Livestream: FoxSportsGo
Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)
How to watch — Nebraska
Who: Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-15, 7-20) at Penn State Nittany Lions (11-13, 6-10)
When: 7 p.m. (ET), Sunday, Feb. 27 | Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: Big Ten Network | Livestream: FoxSportsGo
Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)
Player to watch
Senior center John Harrar: Penn State has been without senior forward Greg Lee for a few games and has relied on Harrar more than it already has without Lee. Now the senior center is set to play his final two games at the Bryce Jordan Center in his career that has crossed the timeline three different head coaches. Harrar has been the same physical force he has throughout his career this season, dominating the glass on both ends while bullying opponents in the post. However, he’s added to his offensive arsenal and opened up the team’s offense under new head coach Micah Shrewsberry. He’s more prone to being the focal point of the offense at times, holding the ball near the top of the key and allowing his teammates to attack off his ball screens and dribble hand-off actions. The center’s career at Penn State is coming to a close with him being one of the team’s most important players.
Matchup to watch
Penn State vs. Northwestern guard Boo Buie: The Nittany Lions are taking on a familiar foe Friday night in Happy Valley. It marks the return of former assistant coach and all-time Penn State great Talor Battle, a Northwestern assistant. It also means the Wildcats’ top player, and Battle’s brother — Boo Buie — will also be making a trip. Buie has been the team’s most effective scorer this year thanks to his ability to score at all three levels and his willingness to launch from anywhere beyond the arc. He’s the type of player that can shoot a team out of a game if he’s cold, but can lead his team to a win when he’s on. Buie scored 22 points on only 14 field goal attempts in Penn State’s win over Northwestern earlier in the season and was a major reason the game remained close throughout.
Quotables
Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry on honoring seven players on Senior Night:
“(It’s) a chance to really honor guys who have been a part of this program for a long time and guys that have been a part of this program for a short amount of time. ... You never know what the future holds. I don’t want somebody to miss out on something for who knows why. ... We want to make sure we honor guys. If you get two Senior Nights out of it, kudos to you, you get two Senior Nights. Maybe you get two framed jerseys and everything else that comes with it. We’re excited, I’m excited, about honoring those guys.”
