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Penn State Basketball: What we’ve learned from B1G winning streak

By Evan Smith

Jan 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) is congratulated by guard Sam Sessoms (3) after making a three point shot during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Northwestern 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) is congratulated by guard Sam Sessoms (3) after making a three point shot during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Northwestern 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Nittany Lions forward Abdou Tsimbila (Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports) /

What we still need to learn

  • The Tsimbila Experiment: He played six minutes (one more than Buttrick … ) and had a great block on the wing leading to a Penn State fast break. However, when he gets the ball in the post his insistence on forcing up a shot is tiresome. Tsimbila definitely needs more practice time (and remember, he’s the Nittany Lions’ only center on the roster next year). But, Abdou continues to be categorized as a “needs more information.”
  • Head Coach Jim Ferry: Looking back over this four games in seven days stretch, it’s clear Ferry was managing substitutions against Illinois Tuesday with Rutgers looming Thursday and Northwestern Saturday night in mind. Credit where credit is do, because Jones, Brockington, Wheeler, and Lundy all played 35+ minutes Saturday night and they looked fresh. And boy did they earn two days off before Wednesday’s game (or not … more ahead).  However, Northwestern Head Coach Chris Collins had a trick up his sleeve that threw Penn State for a loop. Collins switched to a 3-2 zone with Harrar off the floor led to a ton of Penn State turnovers and confusion late in the first half.  Penn State has to be better prepared for all defenses moving forward.
  • Unfortunately, Joe Lunardi isn’t updating his Bracketology until tomorrow, so we wait another day to see if Penn State’s conference winning streak earned us a spot back in his “Next Four Out.”  Fingers crossed…
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