Nittany Lions Host Minnesota in Thursday Matinee

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men’s basketball team, fresh off a 62-58 win over #19 Michigan State Tuesday night, immediately returns to action Thursday afternoon when the Nittany Lions host Minnesota at 4 p.m. inside the Bryce Jordan Center. All Penn State students will receive free admission with a student ID by entering at Gate A. The 2021-22 Penn State men’s basketball season is presented by Highmark Health.
 
FOLLOW ALONG

 
OPENING TIPS

• Penn State faces a quick turnaround when the Nittany Lions meet Minnesota for the second time in five days Thursday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center.
• The Nittany Lions are coming off a thrilling comeback victory over #19 Michigan State Tuesday night — the first ranked win for first-year head coach Micah Shrewsberry.
• Four Nittany Lions are averaging double-digit points, led by Seth Lundy’s 13.1 ppg. Jalen Pickett (12.6 ppg) and Sam Sessoms (11.6 ppg) follow, while John Harrar is nearly averaging a double-double with 10.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg.

 
IF PENN STATE BEATS MINNESOTA

• The Nittany Lions would win their second-straight Big Ten game, and second game in the last three days.
• Penn State would improve to 9-4 at home this season.

 
SCOUTING THE GOPHERS

• The Gophers are 12-11 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten play under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
• Minnesota is 1-6 in conference road games, with its lone Big Ten win away from home coming back on Dec. 11, a 75-65 victory at Michigan.
• The Gophers are coming off a 70-45 loss at #18 Ohio State Tuesday night. Minnesota led the Buckeyes by two at halftime, but OSU outscored the Gophers 47-20 in the second half to pick up the 25-point win.
• Jamison Battle (16.5 ppg) and Payton Willis (16.0 ppg) lead Minnesota offensively this season.

 
AGAINST MINNESOTA

• Penn State and Minnesota meet for the second time in five days Thursday afternoon.
• The Gophers lead the all-time series 38-16, but Penn State holds a 13-11 advantage when playing in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions have defeated the Gophers in five of Minnesota’s last six trips to the Bryce Jordan Center.
• Minnesota won the season’s first matchup on Saturday with a 76-70 victory at Williams Arena. Penn State shot a season-best 54.7 percent from the field, but the Gophers scored 26 points off 13 Nittany Lion turnovers. Sam Sessoms led the Nittany…