Penn State Prepares for Rematch with No. 2 Michigan: A Tall Task in Ann Arbor
Fresh off their first Big Ten win of the season, Penn State is staring down a massive test: a road trip to Ann Arbor to face the No. 2 team in the nation, Michigan. Tipoff is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and if the first meeting between these two squads was any indication, this one could get interesting.
Back on January 6, the Nittany Lions nearly pulled off the upset of the year. They clawed their way back from a 15-point hole and had a shot to tie or win it in the final seconds. But the buzzer sounded with the ball just off the mark, and Michigan escaped Happy Valley with a 74-72 win.
This time, there’s no home crowd to rally behind Penn State. Instead, they’ll walk into the Crisler Center - one of the most hostile environments in college basketball - to face a Wolverines team that’s only gotten stronger since that narrow escape.
Michigan has rattled off six straight wins since their lone loss of the season to Wisconsin, which came just four days after their visit to Penn State. That run includes statement victories over then-No.
5 Nebraska and in-state rival No. 7 Michigan State, both within the past week.
The Wolverines are rolling, and they’ve been nearly untouchable at home, holding a 24-3 advantage over Penn State in games played in Ann Arbor. Overall, Michigan leads the all-time series 40-17.
Penn State, meanwhile, is trying to build momentum after snapping an eight-game skid with a win over Minnesota on Sunday. That victory pushed them to 10-12 on the year and gave them their first conference win - a much-needed confidence boost heading into a brutal matchup.
The last time Penn State won in Ann Arbor? January 2020, during Juwan Howard’s first season as Michigan’s head coach. That feels like a lifetime ago for a program that’s now the youngest in the Big Ten.
The early stretch of conference play wasn’t kind to the Nittany Lions. Their first 11 Big Ten opponents combined for a 70-50 record - a gauntlet for a team still trying to find its identity.
But there’s a silver lining: the remaining schedule softens a bit. The final six opponents hold a combined record of 27-38, offering a potential runway for a late-season push.
One of the biggest bright spots for Penn State has been freshman Kayden Mingo. He’s averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game - numbers that make him the third-highest scoring freshman in the conference.
Mingo missed the first matchup with Michigan due to a broken nose, but he returned in style, hitting the game-winner against Minnesota. His presence on Thursday could be a game-changer.
Another key piece is Ivan Juriċ, who led Penn State with 20 points and four rebounds in the first meeting with Michigan. He sat out Sunday’s game with an illness, and his status will be worth watching ahead of Thursday’s tip.
Then there’s Josh Reed and Freddie Dilione V, both coming off standout performances against Minnesota. Reed nearly set a new career high, while Dilione - the lone returning starter from last season - matched his personal best with 25 points. If those two can carry that momentum into Ann Arbor, Penn State will have a fighting chance.
On the other side, Michigan is led by 6-foot-9 forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who’s averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He’s coming off a monster showing against Michigan State, dropping 26 points and grabbing a double-double in the win.
Sophomore Morez Johnson Jr., a transfer from Illinois, has also been a force. He’s shooting an eye-popping 68.8% from the field and has posted five double-digit rebound games this season. His 29-point explosion against USC earlier this year turned heads, and he continues to be a critical part of Dusty May’s offense.
Under head coach Mike Rhoades, Penn State has shown it can rise to the occasion. The program has four wins over top-15 teams in the past three seasons, including one over a top-10 opponent. But Thursday offers something even bigger: a shot at Rhoades’ first-ever win over a top-five team - and just the second in Penn State history over a team ranked in the top two.
It’s a tall order. But if this young Nittany Lions squad has shown anything, it’s that they won’t back down from a challenge. And with a few key pieces back in the mix and nothing to lose, they just might have a little magic left in them.