How to watch Penn State host Michigan State on Wednesday
Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades didn’t need to ponder the question. Asked whether the Nittany Lions’ blowout loss at Michigan State earlier this season could serve as a reference for Wednesday night’s rematch at the Bryce Jordan Center, or if it was unhelpful, there was no hesitation.
“You definitely lean into it,” Rhoades said this week. “You got to use that and things in that game that really impacted us, that really hurt us, and we got to make our guys aware of it. The coaches are aware of it. Watching tape last night and this morning makes me aware of it. But also, knowing that we’re a lot better team than we were at that point. So let’s not take a step backwards.”
Wednesday evening, the Nittany Lions will get that opportunity. Set to host the Spartans for a Valentine’s Day tilt (6:30 p.m., BTN), the matchup will pit two teams similarly navigating rollercoaster seasons.
Michigan State enters the contest in a familiar perch in the Big Ten standings. Once again hovering in the top third, however, the Spartans’ 7-6 record – with a 1-5 mark in true road games and a 1-2 record on neutral site games – has them clawing for position.
Penn State, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 68-63 loss at Northwestern on Sunday. The first loss following three consecutive wins, the Nittany Lions are a different team from the one that started the calendar year with a 92-61 lopsided decision in East Lansing.
“I think we’re more sure of ourselves, more confident. I think some guys have been playing much, much better individually and within their role from that game. And I think our defense has improved, our team defense has improved since that game,” said Rhoades. “We got to make sure we don’t turn the ball over because I thought we took some really bad zero pass shots and we made some turnovers that just led to buckets, baskets that you can’t defend. So we really got to take care of the ball.
“I thought we had some bad turnovers late (Sunday). We got to talk about that because we’ve been doing a heck of a job taking care of the ball. But the same thing is, we can’t take quick shots. They get a quick rebound and go with it and we can’t set our defense. So those two areas the most.”
Here is a snapshot look at the game, how to watch, and more for Wednesday night’s matchup:
Game time, how to watch: Penn State (12-12 overall, 6-7 B1G, NET 96) vs. Michigan State (15-9, 7-6 B1G, NET 22)
Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
Tip time: 6:30 p.m. ET – Wednesday, Feb. 14
TV: Big Ten Network – Jason Ross Jr. (play by play) & LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)
RADIO: Penn State Sports Network – Steve Jones (play by play) & Dick Jerardi (analyst)
NATIONAL RADIO: Sirius XM Ch. 381 & SXM App Ch. 971
LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast | Live Stats
GAME NOTES: Penn State
What is the Penn State-Michigan State spread?
The Nittany Lions are 3-point underdogs to Michigan State on Wednesday evening. And, the over/under betting total is 143.5 points.
Injury report
Penn State went without the services of Demetrius Lilley and Puff Johnson on Sunday afternoon at Northwestern. They were both listed as questionable on the injury report, though neither dressed nor played.
Asked about what their availability would be for Wednesday night’s game, Rhoades said, “Meech and Puff, day to day. Hopefully we’ll have them, but they’re day to day. We’ll see.”
