Penn State Basketball: What we’ve learned from B1G winning streak
By Evan Smith
What we got wrong
- Sessoms had one of his better games: He was 5-for-8 from the field, and 1-of-2 from three. Sessoms finally finished around the rim, including some very tough shots. I’m still not sure if he’s a great finisher, but he certainly was last night (free throw issues aside … )
- Free Throws: this was a roller coaster. The Lions proved me wrong by going 18-for-23 from the line in the first 39 minutes. It was a thing of beauty. Then, when Penn State just needed to make the front end of a one-and-one, Harrar then Sessoms then Jones(!) all missed. And, just when you’re ready to throw the remote at the screen, Brockington, who I asked to shoot better from the stripe, calmly drills two to win the game. Izaiah was 9-of-9 on the game. Wow.
- Wheeler regresses: Wheeler’s assist to turnover ratio was complimented in State of State, but last night his four assists were coupled with five turnovers. That’s not acceptable.
- Wheeler Part 2: I said he needs to shoot better on his limited attempts. Wheeler only took four shots, but was 2-of-3 from three (including a giant shot to push the lead to six late) and made both free throws. Jamari had a steady eight points … Not a stretch to say without those points Penn State doesn’t win.
- Trent Buttrick hit his one open three: Buttrick also only played five minutes and committed three fouls and got no rebounds. Probably closer to a “wash” than a “what I got wrong”…