Penn State is one win away from giving Mike Gambino a Big Ten Tournament Championship in his first season with the Nittany Lions.
Facing off against Nebraska in the tournament final, Penn State led 1-0 down the stretch. Getting to the title game wasn’t exactly guaranteed for them, either as the new Nittany Lions boss explained the mindset his team brought into the postseason after finishing the regular season with a 23-23 record.
“We’ve been saying for about a month that we’re in Game 7,” Gambino said mid-game. “We knew we’re fighting for a playoff berth and playing for our lives. And, you know, this is no different. And I’ll tell you this, you’re talking about this conference — how about the Nebraska fans, we have to show out like this is an electric atmosphere.”
Despite their struggles throughout the season, the Nittany Lions have come into their own in the postseason. Coming into the Big Ten Tournament after sweeping Maryland in the regular season series finale — Penn State has rattled off six-straight wins and now seek their 30th before the beginning of the regional round of the NCAA Tournament.
Playing in front of 10,000 fans in Omaha — Nebraska’s back yard — a heavy dose of Cornhuskers faithful are in attendance to see their team spoil Penn State’s run. However, Gambino says this is nothing new to his group.
“They love it, man. These guys love the big stage. We’re used to it. If you had a chance to see some of the crowds at Medlar [Field] at our ballpark this year. A lot of nights we played in front of four or five thousand fans a lot of nights and to get a chance to do this here is pretty cool.
“This is turning into a really, really good baseball league. It’s awesome to be able to be in this league and manage against guys like that [Illinois’] Dan Hartleb. We’re losing a legend in [Minnesota’s] John Anderson, what he’s done in his career. This is a fun league to manage in. It’s a fun league to be part of.”
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