Penn State is trying to do what it has never done before. With their victory, the Lions would become champions of the Big Ten tournament.
Exactly two weeks ago, calls to disband the program and divert all funds to football were heard loud and clear from around the world in Penn State. Left for dead, the Nittany Lions squandered all the lead they had coming back from a 5-9 conference record. There was no way to win the remaining matches And Run in Big Ten competition, right?
As it turns out, around the same time as receiving the tip for that fateful game, Penn State will hear its name named as a participant in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. *Calls for the money transfer turned to “Get the NIL ready ASAP” and “Whatever it takes to keep Micah Shrewsbury in City.” That’s what a five-game winning streak does at the most crucial times for a team in desperation mode.
Now, the Nittany Lions play for all the marbles. One of the two giants left to slay, Penn State can go to the big tournament as minor league champions, something no one thought possible two days ago, let alone two weeks ago. If the Lions are to do this, they will need to get past the bogeyman.
Opposition scouts
Like Illinois on Thursday, this is the third time we’ve written about Purdue in this post. Not much has changed since the last time we did it. Zach Eddy remains the favorite for National Player of the Year, having already been named Player of the Year. It looks like the freshman guards are sitting on top of the freshman wall and playing basketball again. Older players make greater contributions than they once did, with David Jenkins Jr. playing the championship-winning three-point shooter. Penn State’s job remains less massive than the last four times they faced the boilers under Shrewsbury. But this time, all balls.
what are you watching
Tired legs, right? – Maybe you’re really trying to make it happen, but Penn State must be tired some point, right? right? Sure, they looked tired yesterday in places, but they didn’t look gassed. Hopefully there will be enough in the remaining tank.
How to crack the code – In the first game, Eddie did whatever he liked. In the second, Mason Gillis exploded and single-handedly buried Penn State. What will Shrewsberry do to find magic the third time around?
It’s hard to beat a team three times in a row, in reverse – Look, now is the time when all pundits should be ready to lose in the third game. However, I don’t see anyone expecting a competitive game, let alone an outright loss to Purdue. I wonder why…
prediction
Against Indiana, I didn’t think the Lions had enough to beat the Hoosiers. Against Purdue, my brain tells me this isn’t realistic. But I have to listen to my heart and “believe.” Penn State 73, Purdue 72
* To make it all sweeter, Penn State is guaranteed a better seed than the team it lost to on Feb. 26.
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