Big Ten play is never easy, but Penn State basketball faces a difficult conference schedule after the Big Ten slate was announced this week.
The Nittany Lions, who have started Big Ten play at home just twice since the 2006-07 season, will start off the Big Ten campaign on the road against Maryland. In total, Penn State will play seven of its first 10 games on the road with one “home” game coming at Madison Square Garden against Michigan.
The matchup with the Wolverines is part of a doubleheader with the men’s hockey programs from Penn State and Michigan, the first of four annual events at the arena.
After facing Maryland, Penn State will will head to Michigan Jan. 2 before returning to University Park for the home opener against Minnesota Jan. 5 and a matchup with Michigan State Jan. 10 – the only back-to-back home games until PSU’s final two contests of the season.
The Nittany Lions take on five teams in home-and-home matchups: Iowa, Michigan (home game at MSG), Michigan State, Nebraska and Northwestern, while facing eight teams just once. Penn State hosts Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin, while traveling to Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Rutgers.
The conference season concludes on Sunday, March 6, and is followed by the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. It will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the 10th time. All 14 teams advance to the tournament, with two first-round games slated for Wednesday, March 9. The No. 12 seed will face the No. 13 seed, while the No. 11 seed will take on the No. 14 seed.
The top four teams will receive first and second round byes and advance to the quarterfinals on Friday, March 11.
Times and TV designations for all non-conference and conference games will be announced at a later date.
Penn State is entering a new era under head coach Pat Chambers following the graduation of longtime star DJ Newbill. The Nittany Lions welcome three freshman to the fold in 2015 and will look to the young Josh Reaves to join a returning cast of players to take the next step in the program’s progression.
PENN STATE’S BIG TEN SCHEDULE
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Wed., Dec. 30
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at Maryland *
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College Park, Md.
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Sat., Jan. 2
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at Michigan *
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Ann Arbor, Mich.
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Tue., Jan. 5
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vs. Minnesota *
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University Park, Pa.
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Sun., Jan. 10
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vs. Michigan State *
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University Park, Pa.
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Wed., Jan. 13
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at Purdue *
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West Lafayette, Ind.
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Sat., Jan. 16
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at Northwestern *
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Evanston, Ill.
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Thu., Jan. 21
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vs. Wisconsin *
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University Park, Pa.
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Mon., Jan. 25
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at Ohio State *
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Columbus, Ohio
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Sat., Jan. 30
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vs. Michigan *
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New York, N.Y. (MSG)
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Wed., Feb. 3
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at Iowa *
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Iowa City, Iowa
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Sat., Feb. 6
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vs. Indiana *
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University Park, Pa.
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Sat., Feb. 13
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at Nebraska *
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Lincoln, Neb.
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Wed., Feb. 17
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vs. Iowa *
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University Park, Pa.
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Sat., Feb. 20
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at Rutgers *
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Piscataway, N.J.
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Thu., Feb. 25
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vs. Nebraska *
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University Park, Pa.
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Sun., Feb. 28
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at Michigan State *
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East Lansing, Mich.
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Thu., Mar. 3
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vs. Northwestern *
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University Park, Pa.
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Sun., Mar. 6
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vs. Illinois *
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University Park, Pa.
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