Penn State Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMBig Ten BasketballPenn State Nittany Lions

Nov 8

Our Penn State basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that few teams have experienced more coaching turnovers recently than the Nittany Lions have. In three seasons, this team has had three head coaches. It’s hope that the latest, Micah Shrewsberry, is the right fit. Although this is Shrewsberry’s first college head coaching assignment, he’s been an assistant at Purdue and for the Boston Celtics. He takes over a team that has rarely made an NCAA or NIT appearance, and that under head coach Pat Chambers’ (2011-2020) nine-year stint finished 10th or lower in the Big Ten almost 80 percent of the time. Last year, being guided by one-season replacement Jim Ferry, the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-14 Overall, 7-12 Big Ten) finished tied for 10th place. About half the team from last season is gone. Shrewsberry, has brought in four transfers to fill the various voids.

Nittany Lions Frontcourt

In developing our Penn State basketball preview 2021 - 22, we found that the exit carnage could have been worse. However, Shrewsberry convinced two forwards, junior Seth Lundy and senior John Harrar to remain. In doing so, he’s given the frontcourt stability, as two of the team’s more experienced players return. Lundy can score, but he’s streaky. Last year, he was third on the team in scoring with 10.0 PPG. Plus, his 81.3 percent free-through mark is the best of all returning players. Harrar, a 54.9 percent field-goal shooter, averaged 8.8 PPG and 8.8 RPG last season. He was the top rebounder on the team and led the Big Ten with 3.8 offensive rebounds per game. Transfers Gregg Lee (Western Michigan) and Jevonnie Scott (South Plains College, TX) possess solid shooting and rebounding chops.

Penn State Basketball Preview – Backcourt

The Penn State backcourt suffered big losses, as three of the team’s best backcourt players transferred to other programs. Two guards, who played 20 or more minutes per game last year, return. Myles Dread, a 36 percent shooter who averaged 7.3 PPG and 24.3 MPG started eight games while appearing in 23. Sam Sessoms, who did not start but played in 24 games averaging 20.6 MPG, was good for 8.2 PPG and 2.3 APG. He shot 40.8 percent from the field. Transfer Jalen Pickett (Sienna), a senior who was Player of the Year in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, is a 46 percent shooter. In his POY season, he averaged 15.1 PPG, 6.0 APG, and 4.6 RPG. Last year, Pickett, a major find, was good for 12.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game. Also, transfer Jaheam Cornwall (Gardner-Webb) is a 40-plus percent three-point shooter, which is something the Nittany Lions desperately need.