Penn State basketball: Where to watch Nittany Lions' first-round game, updates, more
Penn State basketball is back in the NCAA Tournament. Thursday night, the Nittany Lions are set to make their first March Madness appearance since 2011 when they take on Texas A&M.
The matchup pits the No. 7-seed Aggies against the 10-seed Nittany Lions. Penn State enters the game having won eight of its last 10 games, a spurt that helped secure the at-large berth. Texas A&M, meanwhile, is also coming off a conference tournament final appearance, dropping an 82-63 decision to No. 1-overall seed Alabama on Sunday afternoon in Nashville.
Now paired with each other in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament, the two teams will meet in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday night. And, right out of the gates, there is an update to the tip-off time.
What are the details?
Tip-off: Scheduled 9:55 p.m. EST.
TV: TBS
Broadcast team: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (commentary), Allie LaForce (sideline)
Update: Needing a 25-minute buffer between games, a delay to the start of 2-seed Texas vs. 15-seed Colgate will subsequently push back the start of Penn State/Texas A&M. Depending on the finish of the first game, then, the Nittany Lions and Aggies will tip at least 25 minutes after its conclusion.
Radio: Penn State Sports Network – Steve Jones & Dick Jerardi
Live stats: NCAA stats
Blue-White Illustrated Hoops Show
Scouting the matchup
Penn State NCAA statistics, season schedule, and NET ranking
Texas A&M NCAA statistics, season schedule, and NET ranking
Micah Shrewsberry’s scout: “Texas A&M is a really, really good opponent. (They’re) just a talented team,” Shrewsberry said. “Their guards are special. They are elite and attacking the rim, being able to score, being able to get to the free throw line. And (they’re a) really, really, really good rebounding team, one of the best in the country, if not the best in the country.
“We’re going to have to hold our own on the offensive glass and keep these guys off the free throw line. But, it’s going to be a great challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”
Rolling Penn State/Texas A&M updates
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Join our in-game thread for up-to-the-minute updates and analysis in The Lions Den.
Second half updates
12:12 a.m.: FINAL: Penn State wins, 76-59, led by 27 points from Funk.
12:03 a.m.: Penn State continues to hold onto a 69-48 lead at the U4 media timeout.
11:52 p.m.: Penn State has built its lead to 66-42 as Texas A&M has unleashed a flurry of 3-point shots. 8:30 left to play.
11:43 p.m.: Funk continues his assault from beyond the arc, connecting on a seventh make from deep. He has 24 points. Lions lead, 59-36, with 11:46 to play.
11:38 p.m.: Funk hits his sixth 3-pointer. He has 21. Penn State leads, 53-34.
11:33 p.m.: A Seth Lundy 3-pointer and Jalen Pickett bucket boost Penn State’s margin to its biggest of the game, 48-28, with 15:38 left to play.
11:30 p.m.: Funk knocks down his fifth 3-pointer of the game. Penn State leads, 43-28.
First half updates
11:03 p.m.: Two A&M free throws close the first half scoring. Penn State heads to the locker room leading, 38-22.
10:59 p.m.: Funk’s fourth make from beyond the arc puts Penn State ahead, 34-20 with under two minutes to play.
10:48 p.m.: Funk makes his third 3-pointer of the first half, forcing an A&M timeout. Penn State leads, 24-15 with 5:45 to play in the first half.
10:43 p.m.: Funk will shoot three free throws on the other side of the U8 media timeout. A&M has five turnovers.
10:36 p.m.: In the first 10 minutes of action, Texas A&M has five offensive rebounds.
10:32 p.m.: At the U12 media timeout, Penn State trails, 12-11. Andrew Funk leads all scorers with 6 points on two made 3s.
10:23 p.m.: Penn State trails at the first media timeout, 9-5. Texas A&M has connected on 4 of first 5 shots from the floor.
10:17 p.m.: Penn State wins the tip.
10:04 p.m.: Tip officially set for 10:14 p.m.
9:43 p.m.: Approximate tip time set for 10:20 p.m. EST.
