City of Basketball Love

Marley Paul (@MarleyPaul22)
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Penn State basketball confirmed Wednesday it will play Duke in a late November matchup, part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. 

The two teams will meet on neutral ground Saturday, Nov. 19th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. It marks Penn State's first appearance in the tournament since 2011. 

Penn State is 1-8 against Duke all-time, winless since edging the Blue Devils 51-48 in the two programs first meeting in 1949. 

Roman Catholic standouts Tony Carr, Lamar Stevens and Nazeer Bostick, in addition to Oak Hill big man Joe Hampton, comprise the top 20 Penn State 2016 recruiting class. 

Meanwhile, the Blue Devils currently boast the No. 2 recruiting class with LOIs from Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Frank Jackson, three of the top 8 players in the class, per 247 Composite. Five-star center Marques Bolden is also expected to choose either Duke or the top-ranked Kentucky class.

With the influx of talent joining returning starters Grayson Allen and Philadelphia native Amile Jefferson, Duke is widely considered the front runner to be the preseason No. 1 team after advancing to the Sweet 16 last season, posting a 25-11 record.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has also infiltrated the Pennsylvania recruiting trail as of late with interest of fast rising 2017 star Quade Green. The Blue Devils have also offered 2018 five-star guard Cameron Reddish (Westtown).

Home contests against Marist (Nov. 11th) and Grand Canyon (Nov. 15th) are also on tap for Penn State, while a match up with either Cincinnati or Rhode Island looms Nov. 20th. 

"We look forward to the opportunity to play in the 2016 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena,” Penn State coach Pat Chambers said, via press release. “The tournament boasts a strong field and will provide an exceptional test for our team early in the season. This event is sure to be among the highlights of our non-conference schedule."