Penn State forward Mike Watkins will reportedly miss Sunday's game between the Huskers and Nittany Lions.
From Penn State Coaches Show Featuring Patrick Chambers: Sophomore Mike Watkins (right knee injury) is out for Sunday's bubble showdown at Nebraska (5:15 p.m., ET @BigTenNetwork).
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) February 23, 2018
Watkins is averaging 12.1 points and 8.9 boards while shooting the ball at a team-leading 68.5 percent from the field as a sophomore. During the first meeting with the Huskers on Jan. 12, a 76-74 Penn State overtime win, Watkins posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in 39 minutes.
As a freshman last season, Watkins exploded on the Huskers in the Big Ten tournament with 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots in a Penn State win.
He played just three minutes Wednesday night against Michigan before exiting the game with the knee injury early in the first half. He returned midway through the half only to exit the game for good two minutes later.
Penn State (19-11, 9-8 Big Ten) head coach Patrick Chambers said after the game Watkins absence was felt. It could loom even larger on Sunday.
With a win, the Huskers (21-9, 12-5 Big Ten) will secure the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament, set to begin on Feb. 28, and a double-bye. With the Huskers playing for their NCAA tournament lives, they need as many wins as they can get.
Nebraska and Penn State are set to square off at 4:15 p.m. CT in front of a sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Derek is a newbie on the Hail Varsity staff covering Husker athletics. In college, he was best known as ‘that guy from Twitter.’ He has covered a Sugar Bowl, a tennis national championship and almost everything in between (except an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game… *tears*). In his spare time, he can be found arguing with literally anyone about sports.
