Penn State Takes Another Run at No. 1 Purdue
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Micah Shrewsberry, the former Purdue assistant basketball coach, returns to Mackey Arena for the first time since becoming Penn State's head coach with an opportunity: to deliver the program's first win over a No. 1 team.
Of course, the Lions had a similar opportunity in early January, when they took a six-point lead over the Boilermakers at halftime. But Purdue overwhelmed Penn State in the second half at The Palestra, producing a 76-63 victory that prompted Shrewsberry to apologize to the city of Philadelphia.
What happens Wednesday? Let's take a look as Penn State begins a two-game road swing with a visit to No. 1 Purdue.
Penn State (14-7, 5-5) at No. 1 Purdue (21-1, 10-1)
- When: 6:30 p.m. ET Wednesday
- Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Ind.
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Series History: Purdue leads 44-13
- Last Meeting: Purdue 76-63 at The Palestra in January 2023
- Streaks: Purdue has won five straight
About the Lions: They definitely have a home-road dichotomy. Penn State improved to 11-1 at the Bryce Jordan Center with an 83-61 win over Michigan on Sunday. The Lions shot 43.3 percent from 3-point range, including a Seth Lundy basket that bounced 5 feet above the rim before falling through the net. Michigan coach Juwan Howard responded with an exasperated laugh. But the home bounces don't follow Penn State on the road, where the team is 1-4.
The team's shooting rates are 8 percent lower from 3-point range and 6 percent lower from the field on the road. Penn State also scores 13 fewer points per game away from the BJC. Just five days before beating Michigan, Penn State shot 15.4 percent from 3-point range (4-26) in a 20-point loss at Rutgers. Shrewsberry doesn't want that mentality to travel to Purdue. "Whatever happened at Rutgers has nothing to do with what’s going to happen at Purdue," Shrewsberry said. "When you start to get that mentality of, 'Oh, man here we go again,' you’re just holding yourself back. I don’t want us to hold ourselves back. … I want us to have the mentality of the next shot’s going in."
About the Boilermakers: Purdue became the first unanimous No. 1 team of the college basketball season. It has won eight straight since an early January, one-point home loss to Rutgers, and ranks among the Big Ten's top-five in scoring offense (5) and defense (2). Penn State fans will remember 7-4 center Zach Edey, who had 30 points and 13 rebounds against the Lions at The Palestra. Well, Edey is coming off a career game (38 points, 13 rebounds) against Michigan State that Shrewsberry can't allow the center to replicate.
"You can’t let him take your spirit," Shrewsberry said. "You’ve got to fight every time down the court. … As soon as he takes your spirit, that’s when he gets 40, which he was really close to doing [against Michigan State] and against us."
Noteworthy
- Penn State guard Jalen Pickett was added to the Wooden Award Watch List. Pickett is the nation's only player averaging at least 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists per game.
- Penn State is 5-5 in Big Ten play, which historically has been a good barometer. In its six previous seasons starting 5-5, the Lions went to two NCAA tournaments, would have gone to a third (2020's was canceled) and won two NIT titles.
- Here's how the Lions win games: They lead the nation in fewest turnovers committed (8.7 per game), rank second in assist/turnover ratio and are fifth in 3-pointers per game (10.7)
- Penn State is looking for its first win over a No. 1 team in program history. The Lions are 0-13 including the January loss to Purdue.
- The Lions also seek their second road win over a ranked team this season. Penn State won 74-59 at then-No. 17 Illinois in December.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
