Penn St. @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 31, 2019 ) Purdue 99, Penn St. 90

After falling on the road to one of the Big Ten's contenders, No. 11 Purdue sets its sights on a favorable stretch run, beginning with a visit by last-place Penn State on Saturday. The Boilermakers had won eight straight before losing 70-56 at No. 25 Maryland on Tuesday, leaving them a half-game out of first place entering the weekend.

Their final seven games prior to the conference tournament are against teams with losing conference records, and the players know they must reset and finish strong after the lackluster effort against the Terrapins. "I think the most important parts are having two good practices," senior guard Ryan Cline told reporters of the prep work for Saturday. "Take care of your bodies, take care of yourself, and Thursday and Friday be ready to work." The Nittany Lions took Purdue to overtime before falling at home Jan. 31 to sink to 0-10 in Big Ten action, but they've rebounded to win two of their last three. Junior forward Lamar Stevens scored 26 points in a 75-69 upset of No. 7 Michigan on Tuesday.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT PENN STATE (9-15, 2-11 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions had seven single-digit losses during its 10-game losing streak to begin conference play and insisted they were close to breaking through, which they more than did by jumping on the Wolverines from the tip. "I don't think our record is a reflection of how hard this team has worked," coach Patrick Chambers told reporters. "How they've competed and really put themselves out there." Stevens is second in the Big Ten in scoring (19.2) and freshman guard Myles Dread is up to 8.8 after scoring 17 while making 5-of-8 from 3-point range against Michigan.

ABOUT PURDUE (17-7, 10-3): The Boilermakers shot 28.2 percent from the floor - their lowest mark in over five years - in the loss to Maryland, as junior guard and conference scoring leader Carsen Edwards (24.6) was 8-for-27 from the floor. Cline, the only other player averaging in double figures in scoring at 12.6, was held to nine points while making 3-of-12 shots. Edwards hit a career-high eight 3-pointers in the 99-90 win at Penn State last month.

TIP-INS

1. Boilermakers C Matt Haarms was shooting 64 percent from the floor before going 1-for-6 in the loss to Maryland.

2. Nittany Lions G Rasir Bolton is averaging 14.2 points over his last five games after averaging 5.5 over the previous six contests.

3. Purdue has won eight straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Purdue 76, Penn State 67