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Penn State Basketball: The path to the NCAA Tournament is clear

By Alec Whitaker

Mar 5, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater following the completion of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater following the completion of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Basketball is fighting for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

Penn State Basketball pulled off one of the biggest wins in recent memory with a 65-64 win over Maryland on Sunday.

The Nittany Lions have fought for their tournament lives the past two games, and both times senior guard Cam Wynter came through with a game-winning basketball to keep the season alive.

Now that the regular season is over, the 19-12 Nittany Lions head to the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 10 seed. Penn State will face Illinois in the second round of the tournament. The Nittany Lions have beaten Illinois twice this season.

So, where does Penn State Basketball now stand in terms of making the tournament?

Most current projections have Penn State as a “last four in” team, meaning they will have to play in a play in game in Dayton, Ohio. Some projections still do not have the Nittany Lions in the field.

Needless to say, Penn State probably needs to beat Illinois in order to officially lock up a spot in the tournament.

There are other scenarios though, those include the likes of Wisconsin, North Carolina and Arizona State not winning a game in their conference tournaments. Relying on other teams to lose is never a winning formula though.

Simply put: Win and in.

The Nittany Lions downed Illinois 74-59 in Champaign back in December. It was the first major victory of the season for Penn State. Penn State then defeated the Illini again in February in a high scoring affair in which Jalen Pickett dropped 41 points in a 93-81 win.

Beating the same team three times in one season is not an easy task, but it’s something Penn State Basketball must do in order to make the Big Dance for the first time in over decade.

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