Penn St. @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 16, 2019 ) Penn St. 64, Purdue 76

No. 13 Penn State looks to extend its longest winning streak in Big Ten play since it joined the conference in 1992-93 when it visits Purdue on Tuesday. The Nittany Lions have won six consecutive games, including a 73-67 victory over Minnesota on Saturday, to move within one game of ninth-ranked Maryland at the top of the conference standings, and they hope to stay in the hunt for their first Big Ten regular-season championship by knocking off the Boilermakers for the first time since 2014.

“It’s a frightening thought that we can still get better,” Penn State coach Patrick Chambers told reporters. “We’re finding ways, which is great, but there are areas we have to tighten up as we head down the homestretch.” Purdue seems to have hit its stride at the best possible time following a 74-62 road win against Indiana. Purdue has won three consecutive games to climb over .500 in conference play, and they hope to take another step towards securing their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance by knocking off the Nittany Lions for the 10th consecutive time. “We’ve gotten contributions from everybody and we’ve been just really consistent,” Purdue coach Matt Painter told reporters. “We’re one of those teams that don’t have a guy like a Caleb Swanigan or Carsen Edwards so we have more balance.”

TIME: 6:30 p.m. TV: Big Ten Network

ABOUT PENN STATE (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten): Lamar Stevens racked up a career-high 33 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the win against Minnesota to move into the fourth spot on the program’s all-time rebounding list with 821. Izaiah Brockington added 10 points and five boards while John Harrar, Myles Dread and Seth Lundy all finished with eight points as the Nittany Lions shot 50 percent from the field. Myreon Jones, who is averaging 14 points per game this season, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the previous game due to illness.

ABOUT PURDUE (14-10, 7-6): Eric Hunter Jr. scored eight of his team-high 12 points in the first half to go along with five rebounds and a pair of steals to help the Boilermakers take down Indiana for the sixth straight time in the rivalry. Aaron Wheeler made all four of his shots from the field en route to 11 points, and Sasha Stefanovic added 10 points and four rebounds against the Hoosiers. “Just continue to build off this one individually and as a team,” Wheeler told reporters. “Just let the offense come to me and continue to play through my teammates.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Purdue has held its last five opponents to 70 or fewer points.

2. Stevens is averaging 22 points per game during Penn State’s winning streak.

3. The Boilermakers have won 13 consecutive home meetings with the Nittany Lions.

PREDICTION: Purdue 74, Penn State 68