Penn State Basketball vs. Maryland: NIT hopes on the line?

Feb 5, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Sam Sessoms (3) tries to maintain possession of the ball during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Maryland 55-50. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Sam Sessoms (3) tries to maintain possession of the ball during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Maryland 55-50. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Basketball travels to Maryland Sunday night at 7:00 pm on the Big Ten Network (Fox Sports App) to try to earn the season sweep over the Terrapins in a game with significant NIT implications.

Here’s a look at everything you need to know about Penn State Basketball’s pivotal clash against Maryland:

Tale of the Tape

KenPom: Penn State 35, Maryland 28

NET: Penn State 48, Maryland 32

Conference Standings: Penn State 11th (6-12, 9-13 overall) Maryland 8th (9-10, 15-11 overall)

Spread: Maryland -5

About the Terrapins: Maryland is one of the lowest scoring teams in the B1G (remember PSU’s 55-50 victory over them a month ago) but have some strong balance.  Guards Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins are the leading scorers at 14.5 and 13.9 points per game.  Forward Donta Scott is next with 11.3 points per game and leads the team with 6.7 rebounds (Wiggins is second at 5.7).  Guard Darryl Morsell is another well known name, shooting almost 50% from the field despite struggling from deep this year (26.7%).  Their best three pointers are forwards Scott and Jarius Hamilton.  Maryland only has seven players that average more than eight minutes a game (sound familiar).  In reality, this Terrapin team is very similar to the Nittany Lions; they’ve just won a few more of their close games and that’s why they’re in the NCAA Tournament and we’re not.

BUT, perhaps Penn State’s post-season chances aren’t done yet.

With the NIT announcing just a 16 team model this year, odds for the 9-13 Nittany Lions look grim.  However, a NIT Bracketologist (aptly found @joestunardi) currently has Penn State as a 9 seed!  When I asked him about Penn State’s record, he told me:

Good news!

So, while Penn State is locked in the 11 seed for the upcoming B1G Tournament, this game sure does matter.  Because postseason basketball is where #weclimb!

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