It's amazing what an NCAA Tournament bid can do. After qualifying for the big dance last season under departed head coach Ed DeChellis, Penn State have earned themselves a six pack of appearances on ESPN networks for their Big Ten campaign that starts in late Decemeber.
The Nittany Lions only return one starter from last year's squad, and although Tim Frazier did play some of his best basketball down the stretch last March, Penn State still has their work cut out. The Lions do have the benefit of playing four of the conference's toughest teams just one time, but they'll still be shorthanded in the experience department in almost every game they play. Hopefully a non-conference slate that includes showdowns versus Kentucky, Boston College and Ole Miss can help the young Lions grow up in a hurry.
Let's break it down!
Big Ten teams that Penn State only plays once
vs. Minnesota, vs. Illinois, at Ohio State, at Michigan State
This is the type of schedule that will help Penn State grow up slowly without too many poundings. It's a far cry from last year's schedule that had State skipping only Indiana and Iowa once apiece.
Big Ten games by day of the week
Tuesday: one
Wednesday: four
Thursday: four
Saturday: three
Sunday: six
This is actually a pretty big change for Penn State. The Big Ten is playing many more games on Sunday this season, as opposed to last year when teams played mostly on Saturday.
Big Ten games by TV coverage
Big Ten Network: 10
ESPN2: 2
ESPNU: 4
TBD: 2
There's a little more attention on Penn State now that they are fresh off of a tourney bid, but national audiences would have been better served getting to watch Talor Battle play last season. With four new starters and a new coach to boot, Penn State will look totally different from the 2010-11 team, and they probably will be less exciting without a star player to woo the crowd.
Hit the jump for the Big Ten portion of Penn State's schedule, complete with tip times and network coverage.
Thursday, December 29at Michigan, 7:30 PM, BTN
Sunday, January 1
at Northwestern, 7:00 PM, ESPNU
Thursday, January 5
vs. Purdue, 8:00 PM, BTN
Sunday, January 8
vs. Indiana, Noon, BTN
Wednesday, January 11
at Nebraska, 8:30 PM, BTN
Sunday, January 15
vs. Minnesota, 4:00 PM, BTN
Thursday, January 19
vs. Illinois, 9:00 PM, ESPN2
Sunday, January 22
at Indiana, Noon, BTN
Wednesday, January 25
at Ohio State, 6:30 PM, BTN
Tuesday, January 31
vs. Wisconsin, 8:00 PM, BTN
Saturday, February 4
at Iowa, 3:00 PM, ESPNU
Wednesday, February 8
at Michigan State, 6:30 PM, BTN
Saturday, February 11
vs. Nebraska, 1:00 PM, ESPNU
Tuesday, February 16
vs. Iowa, 9:00 PM, ESPNU
Sunday, February 19
at Wisconsin, TBD, CBS or ESPN or BTN
Saturday, February 25
vs. Northwestern, 9:00 PM, ESPNU
Wednesday, February 29
at Purdue, 6:30 PM, BTN
Sunday, March 4
vs. Michigan, TBD, CBS or ESPN or BTN