Here are some highlights:

• Penn State will play their first Big 10 games in the new Pegula Ice Arena on January 12 and 13 of 2014 against Minnesota.  The Golden Gophers are coming off a season that saw them earn the 2nd overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, only to fall to the eventual national champion Yale Bulldogs. That will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.
• Traditional power Michigan comes to Happy Valley on February 7th and 8th, in what will be the first ever meetings between the two schools.  The Lions return the favor at one of the great college rinks, Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, two weeks later.
• Ohio State makes their first ever visit to Penn State on March 14-15 (PSU visits Columbus January 31-February 1).  The Lions picked up a huge 5-4 win over the Buckeyes in Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center at the Three Rivers Holiday Classic consolation game.
• The first ever Big 10 Tournament takes place from March 20-22 in St. Paul, Minnesota at the home of the Minnesota Wild, the Xcel Energy Center.  All 6 programs will take part.

Our friends at ThankYouTerry.com have a ton more info on the schedule as well.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

Penn State would not get on the scoreboard until there was less than 9 minutes left in the first half, when D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall finally converted on back to back possessions, cutting the lead to 16-4.  Sasa Borovnjak and Brandon Taylor would follow with baskets of their own, and it felt like PSU might have a shot to get back into things, trailing 21-8 at the under 4 timeout.  Borovnjak and Marshall would both miss quality looks out of the break, and the Gophers responded with a 10-2 run. opening up a gap the Lion would never threaten.  Rodney Williams would cap the first half with as impressive a dunk as you will see:

The second half would be much of the same, especially after the initial 4 minutes that saw the Lions score 10 quick points.  As the clock wound down, Penn State looked like a team out of gas in every aspect of the word.  Acting point guard D.J. Newbill played 39 of the 40 minutes, and gave everything he had to get to 15 points, despite 2 of 16 shooting.  Marshall was the only other Lions in double figures with 10.  The Gophers depth was on display with 9 players getting at least 13 minutes, and 5 in double figures.  Leading the way was senior Trevor Mbawkwe, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds on senior day.

After 4 impressive performances  in a row on the offensive end, PSU struggled all day, shooting just 27% from the floor.  Conversely, the Gophers shot 50%, while out rebounding the Lions 41-20.

PSU is back in action on on Thursday night in Evanston versus Northwestern.  After a roller coaster week that clearly had drained the squad of energy, 4 days between games will be a welcome respite.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

THE LAST TIME OUT

Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Ross Travis (43) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Everything finally clicked for Penn State against #4 Michigan, including the breaks.  A club that has fought hard all year, despite the 14 game losing streak that is now a distant memory, showed that same resiliency on Wednesday, and was rewarded.  It was a closely contested first half, but the Wolverines lead by 3 at the break, aided in part by a disastrous final 30 seconds.  Coming out of the break, the Wolverines opened it up to an 11 point game with a quick 8-0 run.  PSU would respond, but never seemed to get the stop they needed.  With 10 minutes left, the deficit had grown to 15 points, and loss #15 seemed a given.  Then a funny thing happened, the Lions woke up on both ends.  The long and short of it was a game closing 31-12 run, fueled by great defense, and better shooting.  Jermaine Marshall finished with 25 points, including 6 of 10 from three, while D.J. Newbill had 17.  The unsung hero of the night, however, would be sophomore Ross Travis, who had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and played inspired defense, especially in the 2nd half on Trey Burke.  All told, the Lions defense forced 15 Michigan turnovers (6 by Burke), and held the 40% three point shooting Wolverines to just 5 of 20 from behind the arc.

ABOUT THE GOPHERS

Minnesota entered the season with high expectations, and appeared the be meeting them, rising as high as #8 in the country with a 15-1 record going into a visit to Assembly Hall against the Hoosiers.  The Gophers fell 88-81 that night, in what would be the first of 4 straight losses, and start a run that now stands at just 4 wins in their last 13 games, including Tuesday’s shocker over then #1 Indiana.  They have defended their home court, however, sitting at 6-2 in the league.  This is your typical deep, and athletic, Tubby Smith team.  10 players average 9 minutes or more, and 5 average at least 9 points.  Leading the way is sophomore guard Andre Hollins (13.6 ppg), The Gophers are not a great shooting club, at just 44% from the field, and 32% from three, but they are one of the best clubs in the nation on the boards, grabbing 39 per game.  They are lead by the talented Trevor Mbawke’s 8.6/game.

THE MATCHUP

It’s no secret PSU’s weakness on defense is on the inside, and the Gophers have Mbawke along with Rodney Williams on the inside.  Sasa Borovnjak, Ross Travis, Brandon Taylor and Jon Graham will need to be on their game.  The interesting part will be which team is better ready to handle their recent success.  The Gophers would seem to have the edge being at home, plus having a lot more to play for.  All the momentum (and tournament standing) gained from their win against Indiana would likely go out the window, and some, with a loss on their own court to 1-14 Penn State.  The Lions will play hard, they always do, but as has been the case most of the year, the other side will just have too much talent.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

TIME: Friday Dec. 28, 9:00 PM EST

TV: ESPN

LAS VEGAS LINES: Texas Tech -13; Over/Under 55 points

Tonight is the first bowl game involving a Big Ten Team – the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  The Gophers are in the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl in Houston Texas.  Their opponent, the Texas Tech Red Raiders and their high-flying offense led by quarterback Seth Doege.

Nov 24, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege (7) throws a pass against the Baylor Bears during the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Tech will be lead by interim coach Chris Thomsen who takes over the reigns from the recently departed Tommy Tuberville who left earlier this month to assume the same duties with the Cincinnati Bearcats.

On the other side line Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach Jerry Kill has led a resurgence of a team that has not made a bowl game since 2009 and has not won one since it defeated Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl.  In coach Kill’s two seasons at the helm of Minnesota, he has an overall record of 9-15, but his team has shown improvement from year 1 to year 2.  Last year his team only managed three wins while doubling that mark this year.  If the Gophers could cap off the 2012 year with a win over Texas Tech, the Gophers would finish over .500 for the first time since 2008.

Both teams enter having lost three of their last four including their last two games of the season.  Texas Tech limps into the game having lost four of their last five games including their last two games.  The Red Raiders started the season looking like they could be a surprise contender for the Big 12 title winning 6 of their first seven games including wins over #5 West Virginia and #23 TCU.  Then the wheels seemed to fall off.  The Red Raiders who boasted one of the top defenses in the country early on, started relinquishing points with great efficiency.  In their last 5 games, of which they won only once, they gave up at least 31 points in every game.  That type of defense will not get it done in a conference that led the nation in scoring offense.  How will Texas Tech respond when they have to defend the speedy Donnell Kirkwood and MarQueis Gray.

The Gophers have lost three of their last four including their last two games.  Like Texas Tech, Minnesota started of extremely hot winning their first four in a row with wins over UNLV and over Syracuse.  And, like Texas Tech, Minnesota then began a stretch where they faltered a bit.  Minnesota only posted a 2-6 conference record which was good for 5th in the Legend’s Division.  One aspect of the Golden Gophers game that has been overlooked coming into the bowl game is their pass defense.  The Gophers ranked 4th in the Big Ten and 11th nationally allowing only 178.5 yards passing per game.  They will have their hands full trying to slow down a Texas Tech passing offense that 1st in the Big 12 and 2nd nationally throwing for more than 360 yards per game.

How Jerry Kill and the Gophers are able to handle the passing game of Texas Tech will go a long way in determining their success in Houston.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

For Texas Tech, who are trying to win 8 games for the first time since 2010, they will rely heavily upon the arm of senior quarterback Seth Doege.  Doege sits 66 yards shy of passing for 4000 yards for the second consecutive season.  To go along with his nearly 4000 yards, he has also thrown for 38 TDs and only 14 INTs.  What may be even more impressive for Doege is his 70.4% completion percentage having thrown 496 times this season.  In fact, his completion percentage ranks 3rd nationally and his TDs rank 2nd in the nation.

More than likely you will be seeing Doege on Sundays in the near future.  He has a strong, accurate arm, and he makes sound decisions.  The one knock against Seth is his height.  He is only 6-1 and some teams may be hesitant to take a chance on him and his ability to see over the line.  If he does get a chance, son;t be surprised if he sticks in the NFL for years to come.

Oct 27, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver MarQueis Gray (5) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota scat back / wide receiver / quarterback MarQueis Gray is one of the best in the Big Ten.  He has the ability to turn the momentum in a single play.  Gray was the Gophers “Mr Everything” as he started the year at quarterback throwing for 464 yards and 5 TDs.  He was hurt against Western Michigan and sat out the next two games.  When he returned, he was moved to WR/RB.  As a running back, Gray posted 331 yards and 5 TDs, and as a wide receiver he hauled in 12 passes for 121 yards.  While his numbers may not be eye-popping, the ability of the defense to gameplan for him is difficult since you never know where he is going to line up.

The Red Raiders possess two of the most prolific wide receivers in the country.  Eric Ward and Darrin Moore have combined for 156 receptions for 1922 yards and 24 TDs.  Each ranks in the top-26 nationally in receptions and in the top-11 in TD receptions.  Ward and Moore will be Seth Doege’s primary targets, but Texas Tech will also throw to Jace Amaro, Tyson Williams, and Jakeem Grant.  Each has made over 23 receptions on the year.

On the ground, Minnesota was paced by Donnell Kirkwood.  The sophomore wet off for 849 yards on 199 carries and 5 TDs.  Kirkwood posted 3 100-yard games with a high if 152 yards against Illinois.

GAME PREDICTION

Many, including those in Las Vegas seem to be heavily favoring Texas Tech.  And, while on paper the Red Raiders seem to have the more potent offense, the Gophers have one of the best passing defenses in the country.  That defense is going to have to come up large if the Gophers are going to have a chance of pulling off the upset.

Look for Minnesota to do what they can to control the time of possession and limit how many time Texas Tech gets their hands on the ball.  Minnesota will try and establish the run game with Kirkwood and Gray while mixing in play-action passes with freshman QB Philip Nelson.  If Minnesota can have success on the ground, then Minnesota will have a chance, but if they are forced to rely on the true freshman and his arm, Minnesota could be in for a long evening.

For the Red Raiders, look for them to continue the mantra: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”  Meaning, Texas Tech is going to sling the ball all over the joint.  While Texas Tech does possess a running back, Kenny Williams who went for 779 yards and 5 scores, he is merely a change of pace rather than the primary option.  Seth Doege and the passing game is the primary offensive weapon for Texas Tech.  If Minnesota cannot slow down the passing game, this game could get out of hand early!

Look for Minnesota to to be in the ball game at the half.  I think they will be able to stay within 2-scores by halftime.  In the second half, Texas Tech and the pace of their offense will wear down the Gophers and their defensive line.  The Minnesota rushing game will also begin to falter in the second half forcing them to go more to the pass which will play right into Texas Tech’s 39th ranked team defense.  Look for Texas Tech to pull away as the second half unfolds.  Minnesota will not be able to climb above .500 this season, but coach Jerry Kill has the Golden Gophers headed in the right direction.

SCORE

Minnesota – 13

Texas Tech – 44

August 27, 2011; State College, PA, USA; Penn State setter Micha Hancock (12) serves the ball against Southern California at Rec Hall. Penn State defeated Southern California 3 sets to 2. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State controlled much of the action in the first set en route to the 6 point win, and was cruising in the 2nd set, leading 7-3, before Minnesota scored 16 of the next 19 points, to take control 19-10.  State rallied late to make it closer, but the Gophers were never in danger of going down two sets.  After the intermission, the third set was very much back and forth, until Penn State went on a run to open up a 14-8 lead.  The Gophers again went on a run, this time 7-1, to tie the set up at 15.  Minnesota would lead late, 23-21, but the Lions responded with kills by Micha Hancock, Deja McClendon to tie it at 23, and then another Hancock kill to set up set point at 24-23.  Minnesota would tie it at 24, but a PSU block and Ariel Scott kill would put Penn State up 2 sets to 1.

Behind dominant serving by Hancock to start the 4th set, PSU scored the first 5  points of the set and lead 9-4, before Minnesota would rally to take a 14-11 lead.  After a timeout, Penn State would settle down, and close the match on a 14-4 run to seal their trip to Louisville, capped by a kill by Big 10 Player of the Year, Ariel Scott.

After missing last year’s Final 4, Penn State returns to volleyball’s biggest stage, looking for a 5th national title in 6 seasons.  PSU faces the winner of the Nebraska-Oklahoma regional final next Thursday.

For all the latest on Penn State athletics, follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter!