Penn State Basketball game today: Penn State vs Purdue odds, Injury Report, Prediction, Schedule, Live Stream and TV Channel
By Evan Smith
Penn State Basketball has won two consecutive Big Ten games, but faces a tough challenge Saturday against No. 3 ranked Purdue
Penn State Basketball returns to action Saturday afternoon, following a stunning two-game winning streak, taking on the Purdue Boilermakers at the Bryce Jordan Center
A road conference win? Penn State Basketball followed up their first conference win (vs Indiana) with an impresive road win (at Northwestern) and now have a huge opportunity as No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers come to University Park, PA at noon on Saturday.
Penn State Basketball, led by head coach Micah Shrewsberry, and returning starters Seth Lundy and friend of VBR John Harrar (download his app!) welcome the Purdue Boilermakers today, Saturday, January 8th, (1/8/2022) at 12:00 pm in the Bryce Jordan Center (State College, PA) on the Big Ten Network.
The Nittany Lions (7-5) have had their ups and downs to start the year, but are coming off two upset wins that brought their conference record to 2-2. This was an impressive rebound after having 22 days off thanks to COVID-19 issues.
The Nittany Lions are led by Seth Lundy’s 14.8 points per game and transfer Jalen Pickett’s 12.7 points per game and Delco native John Harrar is averaging a double-double (10.8 ppg and 10.5 rpg). This game was always one circled on the Nittany Lions calendar since Purdue is the former home of HC Micah Shrewsberry, who still views Purdue HC Matt Painter as a mentor.
Purdue is 12-2 and ranked No. 3 in the nation, but they will be falling when the new polls come out Monday thanks to their second Big Ten loss earlier this week (vs Wisconsin). Coupling that loss with their loss at Rutgers, Purdue finds themselves…looking up…at Penn State in the conference rankings.
Purdue has a two-headed monster down low with Zach Edey (15.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game) and Trevion Williams (13.0 and 8.8). They almost never play at the same time so Penn State will have their hands full always having to account for one of these monsters in the paint, esepcially when Harrar is on the bench. This will be the toughest game defensively for transfers Greg Lee and Jelannie White.
Purdue also has two high-scoring guards, all-league player Jaden Ivey who’s averaging a team-leading 16.5 points and shooting a blistering 44.8% from deep, and fellow sharpshooter Sasha Stefanovic (11.2 points, 42.4% from deep). And neither of these players are the best Purdue shooters, as Mason Gillis and Isaiah Thompson are both shooting above 50% from three.
Here’s everything you need to know about Penn State Basketball vs No. 3 Purdue
KenPom: Penn State 72, Purdue 5
NET Rankings: Penn State 82, Purdue 10
Penn State vs Purdue University Injury Updates
Despite head coach Micah Shrewsberry stating that Jevonnie Scott was eligible to return now over a month ago, he still has not played a minute for the Nittany Lions.
Caleb Dorsey also missed the last game, likely due to the COVID-pause but nothing official was announced. Purdue forward Brian Waddle was anonunced out for the year with a knee injury on November 16th.
Penn State vs Purdue University Betting Odds
According to WynnBET, Penn State is an 9.5 point underdog with an over/under of 137.5
Penn State vs Purdue University Prediction
ESPN’s BPI gives Penn State Basketball a 16.0% chance of winning.
Ticket sales seem strong and hopefully, the rare conference home weekend game allures the crowds out to the Bryce Jordan Center. Classes start Monday so here’s hoping the students make their way back early. Emotions will be running high for both Shrewsberry and Painter but Purdue is simply far more talented.
Prediction: Indiana 76 – Penn State 63
Penn State Basketball Schedule & Next Game
1/11/2021: Penn State Basketball vs Rutgers, 6:30 pm on BTN
1/16/2021: Penn State Basketball at Ohio State, time tbd on network tbd
What Time is the Penn State Basketball Game?
Penn State Basketball tips off vs Purdue at 12:00 pm today (Saturday January 8th, 2022) on Big Ten Network.
Penn State Basketball vs Purdue live stream info:
Penn State Basketball vs Purdue can be live-streamed using FuboTV.
