Penn State (19-11, 9-8) heads to Lincoln, Nebraska to finish off the season against Nebraska (21-9, 12-5). Both teams are on Joe Lunardi’s bubble for the NCAA Tournament and need a win today to ensure not falling off the bubble. The Nittany Lions are forced to play without forward Mike Watkins, who suffered a knee injury in the early minutes of Penn State’s loss to Michigan last week.

Zeroing In On Nebraska

Nebraska is led by James Palmer Jr. who is averaging 17.6 points per game. The junior guard was held to only five points in the previous game against Penn State, making just one of his nine shots. Isaac Copeland and Glynn Watson Jr. are the only other players on Nebraska averaging in double figures, 13.0 and 10.5 points per game receptively.

Isaiah Roby has been playing well for the Cornhuskers lately, scoring in double figures in each of the last five games. He is averaging 41.8 percent on three-point shots for Nebraska.

Nebraska is certainly having a strong season, but its Big Ten schedule is relatively weak which is something Penn State could take advantage of with a win. That being said, the Cornhuskers beat Michigan by 20 in January, which is an impressive feat.

Last Meeting

The Nittany Lions held a nine point lead over the Cornhuskers at home January 12 before Nebraska stormed back and forced the game into overtime. Pat Chambers put out a slightly different team that game, as Josh Reaves was absent from this game during his academic suspension.

Tony Carr scored 17 points, including three baskets on the last three Penn State possessions in overtime. Penn State will hope for a less stressful meeting this time around.

Prediction

Penn State will be without big man Mike Watkins in the regular season finale, as the sophomore is recovering from a right leg injury that he sustained against Michigan. Julian Moore and Stachel Pierce will need to defend the paint better than they did against Michigan if Penn State will have a chance against Nebraska.

Tony Carr has stepped up all season when the Nittany Lions have needed him to lead them, and they will certainly need the sophomore to play extremely well again. Chambers will also need significant contributions from Lamar Stevens and Josh Reaves, who’ve been game-changers in recent weeks.

If the Nittany Lions can get solid play from the five spot, they should be able to win this game and head into the Big Ten Tournament with the confidence that they can beat a top Big Ten team, even if they are forced to play without Watkins the rest of the way.

Penn State-Nebraska tips off in Lincoln at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. The game will be aired on the Big Ten Network.