This season is what Penn State men’s basketball fans have been waiting what seems like ages for. Pat Chambers & co. have a legitimate shot at finding a way into the Big Dance. There seems to be a popular refrain in Happy Valley that Penn State isn’t a basketball school, but that could certainly change.

In fact, ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi moved Penn State into his “Next Four Out” after its win over No. 8 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions had a chance to make another statement with a road win over Purdue on Sunday night, but they couldn’t quite pull off the upset.

Lunardi showed Penn State even more love on Twitter Monday, naming Penn State his favorite bubble team to make a run in the tournament.

Penn State https://t.co/2JgjmzVwZY

— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) February 19, 2018

With just two games remaining, the Nittany Lions are still in a position to show the committee that they’re tournament worthy. Penn State has just two games left in the regular season — a home matchup against No. 17 Michigan on Wednesday and an away trip Sunday to face off with fellow bubble team Nebraska.

Fans have just one game remaining to catch their Nittany Lions in action here in Happy Valley. The only sure way of securing a spot in the Round of 64 is by winning out during the regular season and putting on a display in Madison Square Garden during the Big Ten Tournament.

Keeping in mind that taking things one game at a time is crucial at this point in the season, we shift our attention to Michigan.

Ah yes, “that team up north.”

This upcoming matchup against Michigan is probably the most important game of the Pat Chambers era. If Penn State can take down another ranked opponent, it will raise some eyebrows. If they lose, the Nittany Lions will have an incredibly difficult path to the tournament. There’s never been a better time to take down the Wolverines, so maybe the Nittany Lions can take some of the football team’s White Out magic and apply it on Wednesday.

In order for that to happen though, the team will need a large, energetic crowd similar to the ones the football team draws every week.

The White Out in Beaver Stadium is about as intimidating an atmosphere as there is in college sports, and in the most important Penn State basketball game in years, that famous atmosphere will have to make its way across Curtin Road and into the BJC.

We know Penn State hoops crowds can get quite rowdy, evident during last Thursday’s game. The White Out crowd was loud all game and had the BJC ready to lift off.

https://twitter.com/audsnyder4/status/964308675140743169

Nothing quite like singing the Alma Mater shoulder-to-shoulder with your fellow Nittany Lions after a big Penn State win. pic.twitter.com/JZnvvws8wc

— Onward State (@OnwardState) February 16, 2018

My plea is to bring this same energy to Wednesday’s matchup. This team seems to thrive off of the energy in the building, and it truly deserves the help. I’ve poked some fun at the squad this season, but these Nittany Lions are the most exciting Penn State basketball team to be in Happy Valley for a long time.

Tony Carr is absolutely good enough to be named the Big Ten Player of the Year. The sophomore is putting in over 34 minutes every game, averaging nearly 20 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He is one of the most talented players to ever play for Pat Chambers and has garnered national attention as a result.

Carr is joined by Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins, two more sophomore Philly natives who have been major contributors in just about every way thus far. Add Josh Reaves, Shep Garner, Nazeer Bostick, and Jamari Wheeler into the mix, and you have yourself a team that is incredibly fun to watch.

What better way to show this squad what a March Madness appearance would mean than by providing a jam-packed BJC on Wednesday?