Nebraska vs. Penn State vs. Nebraska: Game preview, TV schedule, prediction
Nebraska closes out the season with a home game against Penn State and the Cornhuskers have a chance at clinching the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament which will give them a double-bye.
TV Schedule: Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Arena: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska
Two weeks ago Penn State and Nebraska were rolling with great winning streaks. Both teams were making headway in the Bubble Watch and playing great basketball.
The Cornhuskers had a six-game winning streak that lasted up until last Sunday. After the Ohio State loss on Jan. 22, Nebraska had an easy path to finishing with 23 overall wins and 14 in the Big Ten. Their toughest opponent was Maryland and they beat by four on Feb. 13. With a win over Michigan earlier this season, a double-bye was theirs for the taking. Then they fell to Illinois on the road.
Penn State’s winning streak wasn’t as impressive as Nebraska’s, but the NIttany Lions will take it. In fact, from Jan. 25 until Feb. 15, Penn State only lost once. That was to Michigan State. During that time, they swept Ohio State and picked up a great revenge win over Maryland.
The Nittany Lions certainly didn’t have the easy schedule down the stretch like Nebraska. Within six days they played Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan. They were only able to go one for three. Given how young this team is, it’s really not all that bad all. Some started firing back at Pat Chambers telling him he’s running out of time. Their top-three leading scorers are all sophomores. It’s not time to panic.
The way it’s shaping out to be, Penn State is going to finish either 6th or 7th in the Big Ten. With a win, they will land the No. 6 spot in the Conference Tournament and get to play the winner of the 14-11 match up. If they lose, they will play Northwestern in the second round.
From the way it looks, Penn State will at least have to win two Conference Tournament games to be remotely close to the bubble. That the quarterfinal game will be against either Michigan State, Ohio State or Purdue. A win over one of those three is a quality win.
That’s a tall order. Especially knocking off Nebraska on senior day.
Looking at the seniors for the Cornhuskers and Anton Gill stands out first. He’s been a nice surprise averaging 8.1 points per game, while knocking down almost two three-pointers per game.
Evan Turner is next as he has played in every game this season. He’s at 6.6 points per game, but has really contributed a lot off the bench lately. Duby Okeke is the last regularly used senior. He hasn’t played in the last two games, but I would be surprised if he didn’t get some minutes on Sunday.
Both teams are led by three non-seniors. This is going to make the Cornhuskers and Nittany Lions pretty dangerous next season.
As for now though the match up of Tony Carr and Jesse Palmer is going to be great. Both guys are six-foot-five guards who do a little bit of everything for their teams.
Carr is quietly in the running for Big Ten Player of the Year. He would just miss First Team All-Big Ten thanks to Cassius Winston and the guards at Purdue. Don’t count him out for next season though. The sophomore guard is averaging 19.6 points per game, 2.4 triples, almost 5 assists and 4.6 boards per game.
His counterpart for Sunday’s game is a transfer from Miami. Palmer is averaging 17.6 points per game, 1.4 triples, three assists and 4.5 boards per game. He has found himself a nice home in Lincoln along side a transfer from Georgetown Isaac Copeland and junior Glenn Watson Jr.
Copeland is enjoying his time playing in a Nebraska uniform too. He went over double-figures as a sophomore, but only played seven games for the Hoyas last season. In his first year as a Cornhusker, Copeland is averaging 13 points and 6.1 boards per game. Then there’s Watson who has been with the program since his freshman year who has taken a back seat. He was expected to be the guys this season, but is alright at 10 points per game with the success the Huskers have had.
Carr has a great cast around him too. Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins are very underrated. Stevens averages 15.3 points, 6.2 boards and 1.1 blocks per game. Watkins then comes in at 12.1 points, 8.9 boards and 2.3 blocks per game. Penn State’s top players are more defensively sound, but all five starters are in double-figures.
The last guy to point out for Penn State is Shep Garner. He’s the only senior who sees regular minutes. He’s been a star since arriving to Happy Valley. His numbers have steadily decreased since peaking at 14.8 points per game his sophomore year, but the team has had more success. He won’t be able to experience the NCAA Tournament during his college career, but he will more than likely watch his former teammates make it next year.
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Nebraska is going to be so motivated and fired up on Sunday afternoon. It’s going to be hard to bet against them. Their only loss on their home court all season came against Kansas on Dec. 16. The chances of them blowing this game for all that it is worth is highly unlikely.
Penn State though shouldn’t be down on themselves about this season. They’re still very young yet talented. This will be their best season under Pat Chambers since his arrival for the 2011-12 season. Four of their five leading scorers are back for next year. The Nittany Lions had a great season, but their time just ran out a little too soon.
Prediction: Nebraska 73 Penn State 68