Report: PSU to host MSU at Palestra in Jan.

Lamar Stevens (above) and the rest of Penn State's Philly-centric core will reportedly return home in January to face MSU at the Palestra. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Marley Paul (@MarleyPaul22)
--

Last year, Penn State traveled to the legendary courts of the Palestra for a non-conference game and then to Madison Square Garden for a Big Ten showdown.

Next season, according to media reports, the Nittany Lions will return to both venues, but on different sides of the schedule.

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported last week that Penn State will return to the Garden on Dec. 18 for a meeting against St. John's in the Holiday Festival. In the conference portion, MLive.com's Brendan Quinn reported Friday Michigan State's road matchup against the Nittany Lions will take place in Philadelphia on Jan. 7, instead of the Bryce Jordan Center.

Neither games have been confirmed by the university at this time.

The possible Spartans-Nittany Lions meeting in Philadelphia would mark the fifth trip to Pat Chambers' hometown in six years as head coach at Penn State -- the last three all played on S. 33rd St.

Those trips were effective in growing the brand of the program but also recruiting, offering the opportunity for recruits from inner-city neighborhoods the chance to catch the team in action closer to their homes, rather than commuting to central Pennsylvania.

Chambers struck gold last signing day, tabbing the program's top-rated recruiting class ever with a triplet of Roman Catholic players. Tony Carr, Lamar Stevens and Nazeer Bostick all joined former Cahillite Shep Garner in Happy Valley last month as they ready for the forthcoming season. Philly natives Mike Watkins and Julian Moore will also be a part of next season's homecoming.

Penn State squared off against Drexel last season in Philadelphia's prestigious arena. Prior to the contest, Garner discussed what it meant to return the place he played several times as a teenager.

“Going back home and playing well … Philly kids actually see why you can actually go there and play good and succeed,” Garner said. “It’s definitely a recruiting tool, seeing that a lot of the Philly guys from my school are actually coming here … it’s great to come home and put on a show for your family and friends."