The Penn State Nittany Lions are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the formidable No. 2 Michigan Wolverines at the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in 2026. As they celebrate 30 years at this iconic venue, the Nittany Lions are still searching for their first victory in conference play, making this game all the more critical.
Fans can catch all the action on Tuesday, January 6, with the game scheduled to begin at 7 PM ET. It will be televised on FS1 and broadcasted on the Penn State Sports Network.
Michigan comes into this contest riding a wave of momentum with an impressive 13-0 record, which includes notable victories over top teams such as Gonzaga, Auburn, and Villanova. Under the guidance of head coach Dusty May, the Wolverines have developed a potent offense, currently leading the NCAA with a remarkable +30.2 scoring margin and an average of 96.7 points per game, having surpassed the century mark in five games this season. The depth of the roster is apparent, with eight players contributing an average of at least eight points per contest.
Yaxel Lendeborg shines for Michigan with an average of 15.1 points and 7 rebounds per game, while center Aday Mara leads in rebounds (8.1) and blocks (2.5). The team’s effective field goal percentages on both offense and defense rank among the best in the nation, with the Wolverines also sitting ninth in rebounding percentage. This depth makes them a challenging opponent without any glaring weaknesses.
For Penn State, keys to pulling off an upset will revolve around capitalizing on turnovers, as Michigan has a turnover percentage of 16.4%, which ranks 121st in the nation. The Nittany Lions will need to disrupt Michigan’s rhythm to have a fighting chance. Additionally, Penn State will face an uphill battle on the defensive end, as their effective field goal percentage defense is ranked 306th in the NCAA, a daunting stat against the nation’s top offense.
Tempo will also play a critical role in this game. Michigan averages the third-highest possession rate (75.7 per game), while Penn State trails significantly with only 68.4 possessions. The Nittany Lions must look to control the pace of the game to limit Michigan’s scoring opportunities.
While upsets can and do happen in college basketball, the current form of the Michigan Wolverines makes them overwhelming favorites. The prediction leans heavily in favor of Michigan, suggesting a potential score of Michigan 96, Penn State 64. However, there remains hope that the Nittany Lions could harness the energy of their home crowd and channel the spirit of past miraculous upsets in their conference games. Regardless of the outcome, this match promises to be a thrilling showdown in State College.