Penn State Basketball: Breaking down unlikely road to NCAA tournament
By Evan Smith
Almost exactly one year ago the B1G cancelled its conference tournament after the opening round games were played, followed shortly thereafter by the NCAA Tournament followed pulling the plug as well. Penn State Basketball was robbed of its first appearance in 10 years (and perhaps even cost Pat Chambers his job).
While Penn State Basketball will likely need to win the Big Ten Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament, the NIT is very much in reach and we’ll be tracking this closely throughout the week.
Coming off an amazing comeback vs Maryland, Penn State Basketball is the #11 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, playing #14 Nebraska at approximately 9:15 pm Wednesday March 10th on the Big Ten Network.
Despite both teams dealing with COVID-19 issues, the Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers played twice.
The Lions lost an absolute heartbreaker at home, but did get revenge in Lincoln. Nebraska is an inexperience team as Fred Hoiberg is still working to get his recruiting classes lined up.
Let’s look ahead and see what the horizon could bring for Penn State Basketball towards an unlikely NCAA Tournament bid, beginning with a win Wednesday …
On Wisconsin … In Round 2?
If Penn State Basketball gets past the Cornhuskers, the Lions get another familiar opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers, Thursday night at approximately 9:15 pm again, on the BTN.
Penn State simply outplayed the Badgers at home and then simply got crushed in Madison.
Wisconsin is one of those teams that every year is exactly the same … a bunch of tall guys who are incredibly well coached.
If Wisconsin gets an eight point lead, they will burn every second of the shot clock, making a comeback impossible (yes, even in the first half).
However, Penn State Basketball has some experience beating Wisconsin in the B1G Tournament in a low scoring game, and the leading scorer of that game is on the Lions’ bench right now.
So, Penn State Basketball did it 10 years ago, The Nittany Lions will do it again. If they do, who do the Lions get next?