Three Things to Watch: Indiana vs. Penn State in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

Indiana advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Saturday with a 70-60 win over Maryland on Friday night at the United Center. The Hoosiers will get another shot at Penn State, a team that blew them out earlier this season. Here are three things to watch.

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO – Indiana has a shot at revenge on Saturday afternoon.

The Hoosiers defeated Maryland 70-60 on Friday, and Penn State hung on to a 67-65 overtime victory against Northwestern, which sets up an Indiana-Penn State matchup in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

The Hoosiers are eager for another chance against Penn State, a team that blew them out 85-66 on Jan. 11. Ahead of this matchup, here are three storylines to monitor.

1. Perimeter defense

Penn State made 95 more 3-point shots than any other Big Ten team this season, and nearly every player on the court is a threat to let if fly. Andrew Funk leads the Nittany Lions with 99 3-pointers made this season, good for a 41.4 percentage. Seth Lundy is close behind at 40.5 percent, followed by Camren Wynter at 40.2 percent and first team All-Big Ten point guard Jalen Pickett at 39.4 percent.

Coach Micah Shrewsberry's offense is centered around Pickett's three-level scoring ability, and he's surrounded by shooters. In the first matchup against Indiana, Penn State made a school record 18 3-pointers. Indiana was a step slow on the defensive end all night and looked confused by Penn State's spacing and ball movement. After Indiana's win over Maryland, Trayce Jackson-Davis said Indiana must guard the 3-point line and stay in front of Penn State on drives to the basket. For a full breakdown of Indiana's defensive miscues against Penn State in the first matchup, CLICK HERE.

2. Advantage in the paint

While the Nittany Lions excel on perimeter shooting and Pickett driving to the basket, they lack size and depth in the paint. 6-foot-10, 237-pound freshman center Kebba Njie is Penn State's lone forward in the starting lineup, averaging 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game. Myles Dread and Michael Henn give Penn State help off the bench, but both are at a size disadvantage against Indiana.

Look for coach Mike Woodson to emphasize feeding All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis in the paint. He had 24 points and nine rebounds against Maryland, and no one on Penn State can guard him one-on-one. Penn State will likely bring double-teams in a variety of ways to combat Jackson-Davis. Indiana freshman forward Malik Reneau scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebonds while staying out of foul trouble against Maryland, and sixth-year senior Race Thompson could benefit from mismatches down low as well.

3. Hood-Schifino and Pickett

Indiana freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino and Penn State's Jalen Pickett play a similar style in that they thrive on mid-range jump shots and drives to the basket. They're both patient and poised with the ball, with great feel for angles and positioning by the opposing defense.  Both can shoot the three, as well – Hood-Schifino shoots 35.8 percent, Pickett at 39.4 percent – setting up an intriguing point guard matchup.

Hood-Schifino, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is coming off a strong performance against Maryland, scoring 19 point with six rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Pickett scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in an overtime win over Northwestern on Friday. 

Related stories on Indiana basketball

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• GAME STORY: Indiana came roaring back in the second half once again, overwhelming Maryland on Friday night in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals and winning 70-60 at the United Center in Chicago. Trayce Jackson-Davis led the way with 24 points, but got plenty of help from freshmen Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau as well. CLICK HERE
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• WHAT PLAYERS SAID: Indiana had to come from behind to beat Maryland, but got it done with a great second-half run, winning 70-60 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Hoosiers Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau met with the media after the game. CLICK HERE
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• WATCH TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS' BLOCK: Trayce Jackson-Davis rejected Donta Scott's layup attempt, which led to a strong finish from Jalen Hood-Schifino on the other end. CLICK HERE
• WATCH TRAYCE TO KOPP: Indiana star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis hung in the air to make a slick pass to Miller Kopp for an easy layup in transition. CLICK HERE
• HOW TO WATCH SATURDAY: The Indiana Hoosiers advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, where they'll play Penn State on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. Here's how to watch, with game time and TV information, the latest on the point spread, the coaching matchup, series history, stats, rankings and more. CLICK HERE