Penn State basketball is starting to get hot as February comes to a close, and looks to make it four straight wins Sunday evening against Rutgers.
Here are five things to know before Penn State-Rutgers.
IT’S (ALMOST) MARCH
The best month of the year for college basketball fans is days away. Rutgers is Penn State’s last game before March. Penn State has three regular season games left overall and, for the first time in what feels like forever (really, it’s only been a few years, but bear with me), Penn State will enter March with a realistic chance at playing in the NCAA Tournament. Penn State’s chance to dance won’t be dead with a loss to Rutgers, but it certainly wouldn’t help. Right now, Penn State is among the first four teams out according to ESPN’s Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, so there isn’t a lot of wiggle room.
BIG CLIFF
Size isn’t Penn State’s strong suit. That could be a problem against Rutgers. Big Clifford Omoruyi gave Penn State’s fits when the teams played in Piscataway in January, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. The 6-foot-11, 240-pounder has been giving teams fits all year, averaging 13.3 points and 9.8 rebounds. Penn State’s starting big, former blue-chipper Kebba Njie, is going throwing some growing pains in Year 1, and Omoruyi could make him and Penn State pay.
WE WANT THE FUNK. WHERE IS THE FUNK?
Because Penn State won Thursday night at Ohio State, it’s easy to forget that Andrew Funk scored as many points as I did. Funk put up a goose egg in Columbus, playing 28 minutes and only attempting two shots. The good news for Funk and Penn State is that the team is playing at the Bryce Jordan Center, where Funk has played some of his best games this season. Four of Funk’s six 20+ point games have been at the BJC. Penn State could use a performance like that against Rutgers.
WHITEOUT
Penn State fans in attendance will be expected to wear white. I don’t need to explain any further, so I?
Need this place to be absolutely electric tomorrow night ⚡️
Arrive early. Be loud. Wear White. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/1dksQ1TuYw
— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) February 26, 2023
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.HOW TO WATCH
Penn State is a 2.5-point favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The game is scheduled for 6:30 on the Big Ten Network. For Penn State fans who won’t be in the Bryce Jordan Center, here’s more information on how to watch and listen to the game.
TV Announcers: Jason Horowitz (PXP), Jesse Settles (color)
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Radio Announcers: Steve Jones (PXP), Dick Jerardi (color)
SiriusXM: Ch. 134 or 195 (regular), Ch. 957 (app)
