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Penn State Basketball: Previewing and Predicting the 2019-20 season

By Dylan Burd

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – FEBRUARY 18: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers and Jamari Wheeler #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions battle for the loose ball at Mackey Arena on February 18, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – FEBRUARY 18: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers and Jamari Wheeler #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions battle for the loose ball at Mackey Arena on February 18, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Keys to Success

Emergence of a second scorer: As I said earlier in the article, Lamar Stevens had to do much of the scoring himself last season. He averaged 19.9 points per game. The next leading scorer was Rasir Bolton, who averaged 11.6 PPG. Either Myles Dread, Myreon Jones, or Mike Watkins are going to have to help out Stevens, and score 13-14 PPG this season.

More consistent 3-point shooting: Penn State was tied-296th in the nation shooting 32.0% from beyond the arc last season. That number needs to improve, and if it does, it’ll open up several other scoring opportunities on the floor.

Great team defense: In KenPom’s adjusted defense statistic, Penn State was ranked 19th in 2017-18 and 27th in 2018-19. This is the reason why Penn State plays in so many close games, even when they can’t shoot the ball. Their defense has been phenomenal over the past two seasons. If their defense can remain this good, and the offense just gets a little bit better, it’ll be hard for this team not to make the tournament.

Win close games: Last season, Penn State went 6-11 in games decided by seven points or less. The difference between 6-11 and 11-6 or better in those games is the difference between not making the tournament and making the tournament. Penn State needs to be able to win a lot of these close games.

Increased Bench Production: Penn State has got almost nothing out of their bench the last two seasons. Izaiah Brockington, Seth Lundy, and possibly Curtis Jones will be coming off the bench this year, and they’re going to need to be able to put up points.

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