Nittany Lions Face Must-Win Against Maryland on Senior Day

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men’s basketball team is set to host No. 16 Maryland Saturday for Senior Day at the Bryce Jordan Center. The game, which begins at noon Eastern, is crucial for the Nittany Lions’ chances of qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament.

Penn State enters the matchup with a 15-14 overall record and a 5-13 mark in conference play. Following a narrow 83-78 loss to Indiana on Wednesday, the Nittany Lions find themselves fighting for one of the final spots in the 15-team tournament. “We know what’s at stake. We have to control what we can control,” said head coach Mike Rhoades.

The Terrapins, boasting a 21-7 record and standing at 11-6 in the Big Ten, have had a strong season under head coach Kevin Willard, despite a recent setback against No. 8 Michigan State. This will be the first of a BTN triple-header, with plenty of attention on the game as both teams vie for important wins.

Fans are advised to arrive early for the pregame Senior Day ceremony, which will honor five seniors: Ace Baldwin Jr., D’Marco Dunn, Zach Hicks, Puff Johnson, and Nick Kern Jr. All have contributed significantly since joining Penn State two years ago, combining for over 2,900 points and nearly 1,000 rebounds throughout their tenure.

Maryland continues to shine with a balanced scoring lineup, featuring key players like Derik Queen, who averages 15.6 points per game. The Nittany Lions will look to counter with their own standout performers, including Yanic Konan-Niederhauser and others. “It’s going to take a team effort to pull off this upset,” Rhoades noted.

The game holds significant implications not just for the Nittany Lions’ tournament hopes but also for Maryland’s aspirations for a strong postseason. Currently, the Terrapins rank highly in both offensive and defensive efficiency, making them a formidable opponent. “We need to bring our best to match their talent,” Rhoades said.

The atmosphere is expected to be electric, especially considering Penn State’s impressive 12-3 record at home this season, including a historic performance against Purdue earlier in the Big Ten season. The Nittany Lions have also historically performed well against Maryland in Happy Valley, holding a 13-2 record in home matchups, adding an extra layer of motivation for Saturday’s clash.

As the game approaches, the stakes are clear: A win for the Nittany Lions keeps their tournament hopes alive, while a loss would likely end their chances. Penn State must find a way to harness their home-court advantage and deliver a performance worthy of the moment on Senior Day.

The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, with Jason Horowitz on play-by-play and Stephen Bardo providing commentary. In addition, it will be available on the Penn State Sports Network featuring Steve Jones and Dick Jerardi.