April 19, 2018
CHICAGO, Ill.-- The Penn State men's basketball team will face Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers and Wisconsin for home and away games in its 2018-19 season. The Big Ten Conference announced the seven "double play" opponents and six "single play" opponents for the league's men's teams today.
The remaining six games of the new 20-game Big Ten season feature the Nittany Lions playing host to Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State and traveling to Minnesota, Northwestern and Ohio State.
"The expansion to a 20-game conference schedule is great for the Big Ten and our program as it provides the opportunity to add two high-profile opponents," said Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers. "I know our fans will be excited to welcome another Big Ten team to the BJC each season."
Regional rivals Maryland and Rutgers will visit the Bryce Jordan Center, along with single games vs. Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State in the first year of the expanded 20-conference game schedule. Penn State recorded a 9-9 mark in league games in 2017-18 and only once before in its Big Ten history did Penn State reach the nine conference win mark earlier in the season.
The Nittany Lions finished with an overall mark of 26-13, the second-highest win total in program history. Following the regular season, Penn State enjoyed one of its most successful months in program history by advancing to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and earning seven wins in March en route to the 2018 National Invitation Tournament championship.
The Nittany Lions are scheduled to return three starters for 2018-19, including NIT Most Outstanding Player Lamar Stevens and Big Ten All-Defensive Team selections Josh Reaves and Mike Watkins. For more information about new men's basketball season tickets, visit gopsusports.com/climbwithus or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Keep up to date with the latest information from Coach Chambers and the Nittany Lions on Twitter by following @Coach_Chambers and @PennStateMBB, on Facebook and Instagram at @PennStateMBB.