Nov. 21, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's basketball team will be Back in Black (and Pink) for its ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup vs. Georgia Tech next week. The Nittany Lions and Yellow Jackets tip-off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 on ESPNU on the second day of the 18th annual event between conferences.
This is the fourth time Penn State will wear its throwback uniform since debuting them in 2014. The unis are black and pink, honoring the school's original school colors established in 1887.
As part of the Back in Black (and Pink) festivities, the first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a FREE pink and black "Climb With Us" t-shirt. Free food will be available for students while supplies last, with the doors opening at 5:45 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game.
Students can purchase single-game tickets for the Georgia Tech game, and all games at the Bryce Jordan Center, from the main BJC box office beginning two hours prior to tip-off, or from the ticket windows by Gate A beginning 60 minutes prior.
Non-student single-game tickets are available via Ticketmaster, by calling 1-800-NITTANY or at the BJC box office.
The official black and pink color pairing lasted just two and a half years. Problems arose when the pink faded to white after several weeks of exposure to the sun. The students then opted for blue, rather than black, and white. The official announcement of the new choice was made on March 18, 1890.
These throwback jerseys were previously worn:
| 12/10/2015 | Canisius | W, 81-65 |
| 12/3/2014 | Virginia Tech | W, 61-58 |
| 11/28/2014 | at Bucknell | W, 88-80 |
Penn State and Georgia Tech have met twice in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, splitting the two meetings played in Atlanta. The Lions lead the all-time series 2-1, also capturing a win on the road in the 1998 NIT quarterfinals.
Penn State has won six of its last nine Big Ten/ACC Challenge games and holds a 7-8 record in 15 Challenge appearances. Big Ten men's basketball teams claimed an 8-6 advantage in the 17th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge in 2015, winning the event for the second-consecutive season. Five conference teams posted road victories, including Penn State, to help the Big Ten secure the Commissioner's Cup for the seventh year in a row.