Indiana, Penn State ride win streaks into clash at Philadelphia

Field Level Media|published: Sat 4th January, 17:38 2025

Dec 29, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Zach Hicks (24) shoots the ball during the first half against the Penn Quakers at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Penn 86-66. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State and Indiana convene at one of the meccas of college basketball Sunday when the Big Ten rivals square off at the Palestra in Philadelphia.

The Nittany Lions (12-2, 2-1) have won four in a row, while the Hoosiers (11-3, 2-1) carry a three-game winning streak into this matchup. The Palestra, which opened in 1927, is known as "the cathedral of college basketball."

"I think (playing at the Palestra) is huge because you hear about so many historic games that have been played there," said Zach Hicks, who played high school and college ball in the Philadelphia area before transferring to Penn State.

"Obviously, I went to Temple, so a lot of Big 5 games were played there, even if it wasn't just playing (against) Penn," Hicks added. "Just being there and my family being able to come, playing at that historic building, and hopefully coming out with a win would be great for me."

Hicks scored 20 points in Thursday's 84-80 win over Northwestern, while Ace Baldwin Jr. chipped in 17 points, seven assists and five steals. That tandem, along with Yanic Konan Niederhauser (nine points, nine rebounds, three blocks) will certainly be a focus of Indiana's defensive gameplan.

The Hoosiers topped Rutgers 84-74 on Thursday as Myles Rice scored 21 points and reserve Oumar Ballo added 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Indiana is shooting just 32 percent from 3-point range this season. However, the Hoosiers shot a crisp 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc in the win over the Scarlet Knights.

"Guys stepped up, they made 'em, which was kind of nice to see," Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. "That's probably the most threes we've made this season so far and I just hope it continues to be a carryover. ... Tonight, guys stepped up and they knocked them down, which we're going to need moving forward."

Malik Reneau, the Hoosiers' leading scorer at 14.1 points per game, came away with an apparent knee injury in the victory. His status is up in the air for Sunday.

--Field Level Media