Penn State eyes 1st Big Ten win in rematch

IU players and coaches have been able to watch as much film of upcoming opponents as they like all season, but in preparing for today’s contest with Penn State, the Hoosiers have the benefit of firsthand experience for the first time.

“It helps that we’ve played them once before,” sophomore forward Cody Zeller said. “Playing a team first hand is a lot different than seeing them on film.”

At 7 p.m. today, IU vs. Penn State will mark the first Big Ten rematch of the season, though Minnesota vs. Northwestern, another rematch, tips off two hours later.

Even with the first contest between the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions coming just 16 days prior, IU Assistant Coach Kenny Johnson said he recognizes the opponent has changed.

Guard Tim Frazier, Penn State’s leading returning scorer, went down with a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon in November. Since then, fellow guards D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall have emerged in his absence. Johnson said the pair is more comfortable and confident now than in their first game with IU.

“Early in the year, at the start of conference play, when you lose a player like Frazier, you’re still trying to identify roles,” Johnson said. “Having guys step up into their roles, their new roles, I think as the season goes along, they have a better idea of what they’re trying to accomplish.”

Beyond just changes and improvements among their personnel, Johnson said he expects to see some new wrinkles in the Penn State game plan, especially within the Nittany Lions’ zone defense.

“They’re doing certain things a little bit different,” Johnson said. “They were almost exclusively playing 2-3 in the past and now they’re showing some 3-2 looks in it. At times, they had a couple possessions when they were running and jumping at the ball, full-court pressure. From a philosophy standpoint, it’s pretty similar, but there are certain things.”

Even with the recent memory of the first matchup, Zeller said the team must balance first-hand experience with more recent film study that reflects Penn State’s development.

“They’ve gotten a lot better since we played them,” Zeller said. “We watched some of their more recent games and you can tell they’ve improved.”

Improved second showings from opponents is something IU must anticipate, albeit not for a few more weeks after today. Starting Feb. 16, IU’s final six regular season matchups will all be rematches. Junior guard Victor Oladipo said the strength of the conference will result in tougher games the second time around, including tonight.

“They’re a better team,” Oladipo said. “They’ve been playing in the Big Ten in really tight games. They’re very capable of winning games in the Big Ten. We know that they’re better. We’re better as well.”