Penn State Basketball: Nittany Lions With Intriguing 2013-14 Big Ten Slate

With a solid out of conference schedule already in place, the Big Ten released Penn State’s conference slate Wednesday. It could determine the fate of the Nittany Lions’ postseason chances in 2013-14. 

The Big Ten campaign will begin with the Nittany Lions playing host to Michigan State on Dec. 31. The game marks the first time in five years that the Nittany Lions have started the conference season at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State will host nine conference games, five of which will fall on weekends, a stark contrast from previous seasons. In addition, the Nittany Lions will have games shown on the ESPN family of networks seven times during the Big Ten season.

Penn State faces four Big Ten foes only once this season, including Iowa and Wisconsin at home, and Michigan and Northwestern on the road.

Home games appear in bold below. 

Dec. 31 Michigan State at Penn State 5 p.m.

Jan. 4 Penn State at Illinois 2:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 Minnesota at Penn State 7 p.m.

Jan 11. Indiana at Penn State Noon.

Jan 14. Penn State at Michigan 8 p.m.

Jan 18. Penn State at Purdue 7 p.m

Jan 23. Nebraska at Penn State 8 p.m.

Jan 29. Penn State at Ohio State 7 p.m

Feb 2. Purdue at Penn State 11:30 a.m.

Feb 6. Penn State at Michigan State 9 p.m.

Feb 9. Illinois at Penn State 4:15 p.m.

Feb 12. Penn State at Indiana 7 p.m.

Feb 15. Iowa at Penn State 1 p.m.

Feb 20. Penn State at Nebraska 7 p.m.

Feb 27. Ohio State at Penn State 7 p.m.

March 2. Wisconsin at Penn State Noon/4 p.m.

March 6. Penn State at Northwestern 7 p.m.

March 8 or 9. Penn State at Minnesota TBA