An Epic Weekend for Penn State Sports

A Big Ten title and two NCAA berths are on the line. Plus, Bo Nickal debuts at UFC 285.

Careful of that whiplash this weekend, Penn State sports fans. It's going to be hectic.

The Nittany Lions are competing for a Big Ten title, seeking a first-time NCAA tournament berth and hoping to keep another NCAA invitation on track. Meanwhile, a favorite alumnus is in Las Vegas for the biggest show in the UFC universe.

So much to watch. Let's get it started.

Big Ten Wrestling Championships

Penn State controlled the competition during the Big Ten's wrestling dual-meet season, going 8-0 and winning the outright title. Now, the Lions head to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to punctuate their conference dominance at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships.

Coach Cael Sanderson's team has four No. 1 seeds and nine wrestlers comfortably in position to reach the NCAA championships. Yet, the Lions curiously haven't won a Big Ten tournament title since 2019. Sure, a 10th NCAA team title resonates more, but Penn State still cares. Can the Lions win 5-6 Big Ten individual titles in Sunday's finals?

A Milestone Moment for Women's Hockey

The best women's hockey season in Penn State history reaches its moment of truth this weekend, as the Nittany Lions host Mercyhurst for the CHA championship. Game time is 2 p.m. Saturday at Pegula Ice Arena.

The 10th-ranked Nittany Lions (26-8-2) seek to clinch their first trip to the NCAA tournament. Coach Jeff Kampersal's team has won 17 straight games and its second CHA regular-season title. Qualifying for the NCAA tournament would be huge for a program that has hosted a Women's Frozen Four but hasn't played in one.

Junior forward Kiara Zanon ranks fourth nationally in goals (25), and she and teammate Tessa Janecke have combined for 94 points. Janecke delivered a hat trick in Penn State's 7-1 win over Lindenwood in the CHA semifinals.

Penn State is 3-1 against Mercyhurst this season, having swept a road series 5-2 and 3-2 (in overtime) in January.

Penn State Hoops Goes Tournament Hunting

Penn State's men's basketball team awoke Friday as the Last Team In the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi. To be in this position after blowing a 19-point lead to Rutgers demonstrates the resiliency of coach Micah Shrewsberry's group. Count them out after that loss, and the Lions respond with an overtime buzzer-beater on the road to edge Northwestern.

But that bubble remains fragile, and the Lions need another huge win Sunday in their home finale against Maryland. It's Senior Day at the Bryce Jordan Center, where fans can tip caps to Jalen Pickett, Seth Lundy and Myles Dread for getting the Lions to this point.

A win over Maryland would give Penn State a 10-10 Big Ten mark heading to the conference tournament, where one win might be enough to keep them inside the bubble. Tip-off for Penn State vs. Maryland is scheduled for noon on Big Ten Network.

Bo Nickal makes his UFC debut

Bo Nickal's transformation from NCAA wrestling legend to UFC star goes into overdrive Saturday. The three-time NCAA champ and Hodge Trophy winner joins the main card at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

Nickal has been an ascending star in MMA for nearly a year. He won his first three bouts without much trouble, earning a call-up to UFC. There, the newly brash Nickal (he's an entrepreneur now, remember) says he wants to be the "undisputed pound-for-pound number one."

Sports Illustrated explored Nickal's rapid MMA rise in a Daily Cover that includes some juicy nuggets from Sanderson and some of Nickal's potential future opponents. Nickal also distilled his UFC plans into one sentence.

"If you're gonna go for something, why not try to go for the absolute pinnacle?" he said.

Don't forget about Penn State's seven representatives at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. We're tracking them here.

Read More

Penn State Football on SI.com

Penn State Basketball on SI.com

This winter, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has been eager to make himself uncomfortable

Joey Porter Jr. arrives at the NFL Combine ready to 'show people that I can really fly'

Tracking the Nittany Lions at the NFL Combine

State of Penn State: Manny Diaz has high expectations for the linebackers in 2023

Is Penn State's new defensive line coach already on staff? Making the case for Deion Barnes

Penn State's a big favorite in two early betting lines for 2023

State of Penn State: Could the secondary be even better in 2023?

After a demoralizing loss to Rutgers, Penn State basketball ponders the future

James Franklin delivers an invitation, and a call to action, to Penn State's Board of Trustees

How Jalen Pickett became Penn State's Batman

Penn State plans 'major renovation' of Beaver Stadium

For Penn State, a new alignment breeds playoff hopes

Penn State Trustees approve $7.5 million in upgrades to football practice facilities

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.