Feb. 5, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After seven of the first 10 Big Ten games away from the Bryce Jordan Center, the Nittany Lion basketball team (11-12, 2-8 Big Ten) will play a much-needed home game against No. 22 Indiana (18-4, 9-1 Big Ten) on Saturday at 8 p.m. (BTN).
In dire need of a game on their home floor and shooting at familiar baskets, the Nittany Lions have traveled 6,112 miles since Big Ten play began in late December. Penn State will head into the stretch run of the regular season with five of the last eight at home.
"We haven't been home in a long time. We've been playing on the road a ton," said Chambers. "Seven out of 10 is a lot. This is the hand that we were dealt. Hopefully, being in the Bryce Jordan Center, we can see the ball go in the basket a little bit more."
The Nittany Lions head into Saturday's matchup with the red-hot Hoosiers looking to snap a four-game skid. In addition to a rigorous string of travel, the Nittany Lions have played on the road against four of the top five teams in the Big Ten standings, including No. 5 Iowa on Wednesday night.
"We've been playing some terrific teams. Iowa is a top five team," said Chambers. "Michigan is a really good team. Indiana is a terrific basketball team. We just need to slow down and play at our pace to make those shots. I'm not making excuses, but being on the road and seeing so many foreign baskets and gymnasiums, I think that plays a little bit with these kids' minds. We aren't going to do anything terribly different. We just need to see the ball go through the basket."
Snapping out of the shooting slump all boils down to confidence. The Lions have been able to generate good looks on the offensive end of the floor for the better part of three weeks. Shots just have not gone down consistently. Penn State made nine threes in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 30, but then just one in Iowa City.
"I'm a firm believe or repetition, and I'm a firm believer in preparation. Nothing changes," said head coach Patrick Chambers. "Just keep doing what you are doing. The shots are going to go in. And I have to give them the confidence to take that shot. And I am going to. They know that."
Indiana comes into the BJC atop the Big Ten standings after a dominant performance at Michigan on Tuesday night. The Hoosiers have won 14 of their last 15 games dating back to early December. Indiana is 9-1 in Big Ten play, which includes a 4-1 mark in road games.
Offensively, the Hoosiers have played at an elite level. Indiana is ranked No. 2 in the nation in field goal percentage at a blistering 51.6 percent, No. 5 in three-point field goal percentage (42.7) and No. 7 in scoring offense (85.0 ppg).
Senior Yogi Ferrell has been outstanding for Indiana in 2015-16. The dynamic point guard is No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring (17.4 ppg), No. 4 in the Big Ten in assists (5.8 apg) and No. 3 in field goal percentage (48.4). Troy Williams is second on the team in scoring at 13.0 points per game.
Penn State and Indiana have split the last two meetings. Each of the last three games between the Nittany Lions and Hoosiers were decided by three points or less.
"It's confidence. The kids just have to continue playing with confidence," said head coach Patrick Chambers. "They truly deserve to see success with the work ethic they are putting forth."