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Penn State Basketball’s reasons for hope and despair: Tourney prospects

By Evan Smith

Feb 9, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) goes to the basket as Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) defends during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) goes to the basket as Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) defends during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State fell to 7-9 last night with another brutally close, tough and frustrating loss last night to Michigan State.  So how can a team two games under .500 have any hope of an NCAA Tournament berth, their first since 2011?

Let’s take a look at why the Nittany Lions should be hopeful that a tournament berth could be within reach and reasons why the dream is more far fetched than ever.

Here are our reasons for hope, and for despair for Penn State Basketball: 

HOPE: John Harrar’s dominance inside

Who’d have thunk this when the season started but John Harrar is the best player to wear blue and white (well mostly pink and black) this season.

Harrar’s been a double-double machine, and has added some nice back to the basket offensive game to go with his incredible rebounding prowess. Through Penn State Basketball’s first eight games, Harrar is averaging 9.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, while boasting a 60.2 shooting percentage.

Unless your name is Cockburn, Dickinson or Williams in the B1G, Harrar is going to get his.

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