How to watch and what to know about Penn State men’s basketball this week

Penn State men’s basketball has one more Big Ten game this week after another 1-1 week last week, defeating Rutgers at home and losing to Ohio State on the road.

The Nittany Lions were originally scheduled to play Minnesota Wednesday night at home as they try to rebound from the loss to the Buckeyes, but that game was postponed due to positive COVID-19 results within Minnesota’s program. Instead, there next game will be Saturday afternoon when they’ll travel to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup.

How to watch — Iowa

Who: Penn State Nittany Lions (8-7, 3-4) at Iowa Hawkeyes (13-4, 3-3)

When: 4:30 p.m. (ET), Saturday, Jan. 22 | Where: Carver Hawkeye Arena

TV: Big Ten Network | Livestream: FoxSportsGo

Online radio stream: GoPSUSports (university-run)

Player to watch

Junior forward Seth Lundy: Penn State played without Lundy Sunday against Ohio State and head coach Micah Shrewsberry would not comment on the cause for his absence but did call him day-to-day. It remains to be seen if he’ll play Wednesday or Saturday, which means he’s worth monitoring this week. The junior forward is the Nittany Lions’ leading scorer and has been their best defensive player this season. His status will have an impact on both ends of the court for Penn State and will force others to step into larger roles if he can’t play. Guard Dallion Johnson, who has played a small role off the bench and can provide a spark offensively, will need to be more consistent when the Lions have the ball and senior Myles Dread may have to pick up more primary assignments defensively.

Matchup to watch

Penn State vs. Iowa forward Keegan Murray: Perhaps the most important reason Penn State needs Lundy back is its matchup on Saturday with the Iowa Hawkeyes and Murray. The Hawkeye forward has established himself as one of the best players in the country, a projected top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and a versatile scoring threat. He has the size, strength and athleticism to power his way to the rim and finish while also being able to create — and make — his own shot from the perimeter and the mid-range. Murray has been one of the breakout stars in all of college basketball and can present trouble for any opponent. Lundy has the size and defensive ability to limit the Iowa forward. Without him in the lineup, Murray could be very difficult for the Nittany Lions to contain.

Quotable

Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry on his confidence in his team:

“I think we’re constantly growing, I think we’re constantly getting better. I’ve always thought this team would take time with a lot of new pieces, a lot of guys playing together for the first time, everybody playing for me for the first time. It’s a constant learning process and I thought we would get better as the season went on. I think we’re still gonna get better. I don’t think we’re a finished product, yet.”