/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65879562/usa_today_13778056.0.jpg)
The Big Ten had two games on Tuesday night and both ended with significant results. Penn State upset an undefeated Maryland team and then Indiana went to New York City and beat UConn in a really competitive game.
Let’s take a look at what happened.
Game of the Night:
-Penn State Nittany Lions 76, No. 4 Maryland Terrapins 69
For the last few weeks, we’ve been trying to gauge how good Penn State is right now. The computers have loved the Nittany Lions, but the play on the court really hasn’t corresponded with a top 25 unit trending toward a comfortable Selection Sunday. Most figured we would learn a lot more on Tuesday as Penn State hosted an undefeated and nationally ranked Maryland team.
Well, so far so good for Penn State.
From the opening tip, it didn’t seem like Maryland knew what hit it. The Terps got down 22-12 early and Penn State never looked back.Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins combined for 30 points and 21 rebounds on the night. All told, Penn State upset Maryland by a final score of 76-69 and fans rushed the court.
For Penn State, this is the win fans have been waiting for all year. The Nittany Lions finally got a chance to play a nationally relevant team and came out with a huge win. On the other side, Maryland will now have to regroup after suffering its first loss of the year.
Moving forward, Penn State gets Alabama at home on Saturday while Maryland will get more than a week off before going on the road to face Seton Hall.
The Rest:
-Indiana Hoosiers 57, Connecticut Huskies 54
While this game got pretty ugly on both sides on Tuesday night, Indiana was able to live up to expectations and escape New York City with a win against a top 60 team on a neutral court. The win pushed Indiana to 9-1 overall this season.
We probably didn’t learn a ton about Indiana in this one, but the important point is that the Hoosiers got out with a win. The team will now prepare to face Nebraska at home on Friday night. Should Indiana win that game, it would set up the team’s best start through 11 games since the 2012-’13 team that won the Big Ten and made the Sweet 16.