![]() ![]() Indiana needs to do a better job of containing Pickett and his supporting cast. Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis is a menace in the frontcourt, while Penn State's Jalen Pickett is one of the best guards in the country. There could also be a sense of completing the task in the Big Ten tournament after coming up short in the semifinals last year against the Iowa Hawkeyes.īoth teams will try to find success through their star players. The Hoosiers may have some revenge on their minds Saturday since they lost by 19 points on the road in their lone meeting with Penn State. It broke that trend with a win over the Maryland Terrapins on Friday. Indiana alternated wins and losses over its last seven regular-season games. The desperation to reach the field of 68 drove the Nittany Lions on that run, but now they have to deal with an Indiana team looking to get on the same type of hot streak. Micah Shrewsberry's team entered Chicago in some of the best form of any Big Ten team, as it finished the regular season with five wins in six games. The Nittany Lions are now on the "Last Four Byes" line in Lunardi's latest projection, and they are in search of their first Big Ten tournament final since 2011. Penn State started the Big Ten tournament in search of securing a spot in the NCAA tournament. ![]() UCLA held the edge in the latest bracket projection from ESPN's Joe Lunardi. Matt Painter's team is competing with the UCLA Bruins for that spot. Purdue's task is to make sure the Buckeyes are out of reach before halftime so the crowd does not rally behind Ohio State and make the game more difficult than it should be.Ī convincing win by Purdue will help it stay alive for the fourth No. They could give everything in the first half and be fueled by adrenaline to the finish, or fade out as the second half goes on. One has to assume the Buckeyes will be tired, but if, and when, it affects them is unknown. 13 seeds to reach the quarterfinals lost in that round. Ohio State is in unprecedented territory as a No. Purdue should try to exploit its advantage in the paint with Edey to open up an early lead and to try to get some Buckeyes in foul trouble. Sensabaugh was the only other player in that game to score more than 15 points. Zach Edey controlled the frontcourt in the second meeting with 26 points and 11 rebounds. They won by two points in Columbus and earned a 82-55 triumph on their home floor. Sensabaugh's absence did not affect the Buckeyes much, as they were ahead for a majority of the quarterfinal clash.Ĭhris Holtmann's team has yet to show signs of fatigue in its bid to win five games in five days, but the dream may come to an end against Purdue. Ohio State was at a disadvantage against the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, as star freshman Brice Sensabaugh was ruled out with knee soreness. The Buckeyes ended the NCAA tournament hopes of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes for the second time this season in the second round. Two of those wins came in the final three games of the regular season, and the Buckeyes carried that momentum into the United Center. Ohio State entered Chicago with just five wins in Big Ten regular-season play, and it had two victories after January 22. Purdue and Ohio State will face off in one of the unlikeliest semifinal matchups in Big Ten tournament history. Make your picks: Play the NCAA March Madness Men's Bracket Challenge and Tournament Run. Indiana and Purdue are one win each away from setting up a rivalry showdown in Sunday's final. Penn State will be the underdog against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second semifinal. The Purdue Boilermakers, who won the Big Ten regular-season title by three games, stand in Ohio State's way of a stunning championship game appearance. ![]()
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