Preview: Penn State at Michigan in Big Ten Showdown ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Michigan team riding a nine-game winning streak will host a struggling Penn State squad coming off a rare victory when the Big Ten rivals meet Thursday night at Crisler Center. The No. 2-ranked Wolverines (20-1, 10-1 Big Ten), whose only loss came in a 91-88 thriller against Wisconsin on Jan. 10, have established themselves as a national championship contender. They have dominated conference play, most recently with an 83-71 road win over then-Michigan State last Friday. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been a force, averaging 18.3 points over his last four games, including a 26-point performance against the Spartans. The Nittany Lions (10-12, 3-9) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a narrow 77-75 home win over Minnesota on Sunday. Their season has been defined by inconsistency, particularly on the road where they are 1-7. Guard Freddie Dilione V, who scored 25 points in the win over Minnesota and had another 25-point outing at Purdue last month, will need a similar explosive performance to challenge the Wolverines’ stout defense. This is a rematch of a Jan. 6 clash in State College, which Michigan won 74-72. The Wolverines have won the last seven meetings in the series. Penn State will aim to control the tempo and replicate its recent defensive effort that forced 14 turnovers against Minnesota. However, slowing down a balanced Michigan attack led by Lendeborg, guard Elliot Cadeau (17 points, 6 assists vs. MSU), and freshman Morez Johnson presents a far greater challenge. The Wolverines lead the nation in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 22.1 points. The game tips off at 9 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN. For Penn State, it begins a brutal stretch of four road games in five contests. For Michigan, it’s a chance to solidify its hold atop the conference before a pivotal Sunday trip to Ohio State.