Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State Basketball wins (and covers) vs. VMI as Jamari Wheeler Shines

By Evan Smith

Dec 29, 2019; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Cornell Big Red at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2019; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Cornell Big Red at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Basketball opened up the season with an impressive victory over VMI

While many of you were watching PSU Football FINALLY get a win, some of us purchased Big Ten Network + (almost 11 bucks, sigh) to watch our Penn State Basketball hardwood heros open their season.

And, boy has it been far, far too long.

Last time we saw our Nittany Lions on the court they were getting ready for their Big Ten Tournament opening game coming off by far their most successful season under Pat Chambers (sad face), and perhaps in program history.

Today’s season opener (after the originally planned opener vs Drexel was cancelled due to COVID-19) was the return of a familiar face with former PG Dan Earl leading his 1-0 Virginia Military Institute Keydets in the Jordan Center. It was worth the wait as Penn State notched an 86-65 victory.

The game was back and forth early and a Jamari Wheeler three (!) gave the Nits a two point lead into the half.  Coming in as 19.5 point favorites, a two point lead isn’t exactly what new coach Jim Ferry had in mind, especially considering VMI held a 12 point lead at the 7:19 mark.  However, the Lions were ice cold from beyond and cream usually rises to the top.

The expected Nittany Lion run didn’t come in the first four minute segment of the second half as the Lions only held a one point lead.  But the next 8 minutes were all Lions as the lead ballooned to 18 points thanks to two threes by Wheeler(!) and one from Sophmore Seth Lundy.  From that point, the Lions coasted to the finish off a a 21 point win.  VMI had a three pointer with 10 seconds to cover (if you’re into that sort of thing), but the shot rimmed out, PSU wins, covers, and moves to 1-0 on the 2020-2021 season..

Here are our takeaways from the win:

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