2023 Big Ten tournament championship game preview: Purdue vs. Penn State

CHICAGO – Purdue is making its fourth appearance in a Big Ten tournament championship game in the last seven years but looks to bring a title back to West Lafayette for the first time since 2009 when it faces No. 10 seed Penn State. The top-seeded Boilermakers defeated Rutgers and Ohio State to reach the championship game. The Nittany Lions posted wins over Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana to make their first tournament title game appearance since 2011.

Where: United Center (Chicago)

When: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)

In-game updates: GoldandBlack.com | Twitter @mike_carmin

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats

Penn State: Roster | Schedule | Stats

NUMBERS AND SUCH

Team	AP	Coaches	NET	KenPom	KenPom Win%
Purdue	5	3	5	5	71%
Penn State	—	—	55	61	29%

ON PURDUE (27-6)

• After struggling from the 3-point line down the stretch, the Boilermakers are shooting 40% in the conference tournament. David Jenkins Jr. is 5 of 6 from beyond the arc to lead the improved shooting. Braden Smith, Ethan Morton, Brandon Newman and Mason Gillis each have two 3-pointers. Overall, Purdue is shooting 47.6% in the two games.

• In the two games against Penn State, the Boilermakers averaged 78 points and won the rebounding battle by 30. Purdue committed a total of 19 turnovers in both victories, a positive sign. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers have cleaned up their mistakes this weekend, averaging 9.0 turnovers in the two wins at the United Center, despite facing fullcourt pressure from Rutgers and Ohio State.

• Purdue has trailed in both tournament games, falling behind the Scarlet Knights by 12 in the quarterfinals and facing an eight-point deficit against the Buckeyes. Both happened in the first half, but by halftime, the Boilermakers were in the lead. Can Purdue afford to trail again?

PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS

Center — 15 Zach Edey (7-4, 290, Junior)

Dominated undermanned Ohio State for 32 points and 14 rebounds in the semifinals and will have the same opportunity against the Nittany Lions, who don’t have a lot of depth inside. Averaged 24 points and shot 70% from the field in the two games against Penn State.

Forward — 0 Mason Gillis (6-6, 230, Junior)

Pieced together one of the top shooting performances of the season by hitting nine 3-pointers in the victory against the Lions at Mackey Arena on Feb. 1. Gillis was 9 of 14 from beyond the arc and finished with a career-high 29 points. He’s been efficient in the tournament, averaging 2.4 points per field goal attempt.

Guard — 3 Braden Smith (6-0, 180, Freshman)

Was solid in all areas against the Buckeyes. Scored 15 points on 5 of 5 shooting, pulled down five rebounds and handed out five assists. Totaled 16 assists and one turnover in the two games against PSU.

Guard — 2 Fletcher Loyer (6-4, 185, Freshman)

Benefitted from a friendly bounce on his first field goal attempt in the win over the Buckeyes but that was his only successful shot in the game. Is 1 of 10 from the field in the Big Ten tournament. Averaged 11 points against the Lions.

Guard — 5 Brandon Newman (6-5, 200, Junior)

Played a combined 25 minutes in the two meetings against PSU but is averaging 27.6 in the last two games. Moved into the starting lineup against Wisconsin and the Boilermakers are 4-0 since the switch. Scored 15 points against the Buckeyes, hitting 5 of 7 field goals, but was a major factor on the defensive end. Expected to spend time defending Jalen Pickett.

Bench

Forward— 1 Caleb Furst (6-10, 230, Sophomore)

Had two dunks early against the Buckeyes thanks to passes from Edey, giving the Boilermakers a spark.

Guard/Forward — 25 Ethan Morton (6-7, 215, Junior)

Played a key role in defending Pickett at The Palestra, limiting the All-Big Ten first-team selection to eight points after halftime. Will need a similar impact Sunday.

Forward/Center — 4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 225, Redshirt Freshman)

Minutes have been scarce in the tournament as the Boilermakers continue to take advantage of Edey’s size inside.

Guard — 14 David Jenkins Jr. (6-1, 200, Senior)

Delivered big shots in the victory over Rutgers and capped a 21-5 run to end the first half against Ohio State with a long 3-pointer before the buzzer.

Guard/Forward — 11 Brian Waddell (6-8, 195, Redshirt Freshman)

Note: Freshman center Will Berg and wing Camden Heide will redshirt this season.

ON PENN STATE (22-12)

• The Lions have won their three tournament games by a combined nine points, but that continues a recent trend. PSU’s games have been decided by an average of 4.9 points over the last 12. The Nittany Lions are 8-4 since losing to Purdue 80-60 on Feb. 1 at Mackey Arena.

• Penn State attempted just seven free throws in the two games against the Boilermakers. However, the Lions have gone to the line 77 times in the three games of the Big Ten tournament.

• Micah Shrewsberry will try to beat Purdue coach Matt Painter for the first time since taking over Penn State’s program. Granted, it’s been four games, but the Boilermakers have won each time, including in last year’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. Shrewsberry worked for Painter on two separate occasions.

“It’s never fun because they beat our brains in every single time we’ve played them,” Shrewsberry said after PSU beat Indiana on Saturday. “But like it’s the friendliest of rivalries that he’s a guy that I call and I talk to all the time, and despite us being in the same league, we’re talking about things throughout the year. We’re helping each other. He’s helping me.

“I’m always indebted to him. I owe a lot of gratitude to him. He showed me, in my years there, how to run a college basketball program, how to do it the right way, how to recruit the kids that fit your system. It’s fun. It will be a great challenge. We got to be ready. We got to be physical. We got to play good offense. But we’re going to fight. We’re going to compete. That’s what I love about our guys.”

PROJECTED PENN STATE LINEUPS

Guard — 22 Jalen Pickett (6-4, 209, Grad)

Surpassed the 20-point mark for the first time in five games in the semifinal victory over Indiana, scoring 28. Had 26 points in the first meeting against the Boilermakers but was slowed in the second half by Morton and Newman. He’s more than capable of carrying the Lions to the championship if he’s allowed to get comfortable.

Forward — 1 Seth Lundy (6-6, 220, Senior)

One of the Big Ten’s deadliest 3-point shooters, who is averaging 16.3 points through three games of the tournament. A strong rebounder who Purdue needs to keep away from the boards.

Guard — 10 Andrew Funk (6-5, 200, R-Senior)

Another sharpshooter that can carry the offense through stretches. Made 11 3-pointers against Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana. Nearly 78% of his field goal attempts are from 3-point range.

Guard/Forward – 3 Kebba Njie (6-10, 237, Freshman)

Will help defend Edey throughout the game and played well against Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. Had nine boards Saturday but didn’t grab a rebound in two games against the Boilermakers.

Guard — 11 Camren Wynter (6-2, 200, Sr.)

Made the game-winning basket in the regular-season finale against Maryland and carried that momentum into an 18-point performance in the win over Illinois on Thursday.

Bench

Forward — 24 Michael Henn (6-8, 244, 7^th year)

A big man who has a soft 3-point shooting touch, potentially creating matchup problems. Made three 3-pointers in the second game against the Boilermakers but connected on just five since then.

Guard/Forward — 2 Myles Dread (6-4, 235, R-Senior)

Guard — 0 Kayne Clary (5-11, 192, Freshman)

Scored 25 points in three Big Ten tournament games.

LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES

• Did you realize the Boilermakers played Rutgers, Ohio State and Penn State in three consecutive games in January? They’ll do it again during the Big Ten tournament.

• By the time Sunday’s game starts, both teams will likely be placed in their spot in the bracket for the NCAA tournament. The outcome isn’t expected to change anything for the Boilermakers and the Lions.

PREDICTION: PURDUE 71, PENN STATE 64

The Nittany Lions lack the depth to deal with Edey but aren’t as limited as Ohio State was in the semifinals. PSU, though, can control the game from the perimeter behind Pickett, Lundy and Funk. Purdue prefers a slower pace to help pump the ball inside and let Edey go to work. The Boilermakers can’t allow Pickett, Lundy and Funk to get hot from 3-point range or it will be a long day. Purdue has shared the offensive wealth during the four-game winning streak and it’s expected to continue with a championship at stake.