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The Tribune’s Shannon Ryan and Teddy Greenstein preview Thursday’s Big Ten tournament games.
Thursday’s Big Ten tournament matchups
Alex Brandon / AP
What Penn State needs: After needing 45 minutes to wipe out Nebraska, the Nittany Lions will have to summon more energy against a Michigan State team that has lost two straight. Freshman forward Mike Watkins had 18 points and eight blocks against the Cornhuskers.
What Michigan State needs: Tom Izzo’s crew, next-to-last in the Big Ten in turnover margin, can’t cough it up more than 15 times. The Spartans also need more production from guard Alvin Ellis III, who scored just four points in 36 minutes Saturday at Maryland.
Teddy Greenstein’s pick: Michigan State. 
