Not every bubble result is going to break favorably. USC has received a lot of good bubble results in recent weeks, but on Wednesday night, the ball bounced the wrong way.
Penn State, on the middle of the bubble and badly needing a quality win, trailed Northwestern by 10 in the first half and by six with just over four minutes left in regulation. However, the Nittany Lions hit a bunch of big 3-pointers, got the game into overtime, and then secured a huge offensive rebound leading to a game-winning 3-pointer in the final second of the extra period to beat Northwestern, 68-65, on the road.
“Senior guard Camren Wynter was sensational. He scored a game-high 24 points with four threes. His most important one of the night came at the buzzer in overtime.
“Jalen Pickett missed a fadeaway with eight seconds left. Freshman forward Evan Mahaffey outhustled three Wildcats and corralled the offensive rebound. He then threw a pass back to Andrew Funk who found Wynter in the corner for an open three.
“Dagger. Game winner.”
If Penn State beats Maryland at home on the weekend, it should be in good shape for an NCAA Tournament bid. That would be one less available bubble spot for USC.
The Trojans know they absolutely need one win this week against the Arizona schools. Crunch time is here.
This is March.
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