Penn State was on a two-game losing streak against media-, fan-, everyone-darling Chris Collins, and this game was a chance to tilt the tide back to the Nittany Lions. With the possibility of Bryant McIntosh not playing in this game, Northwestern found itself in desperation mode as their NCAA tournament hopes evaporated by the minute. This game would go a long way in deciding which of these two teams still had a faint chance at making the Big Dance come March.
Penn State opened up a lead early, and it would balloon as high as 16 points in the first half.