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

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 Nittany Lions interim head coach Jim Ferry (Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Nittany Lions interim head coach Jim Ferry (Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports) /

Despair: Jim Ferry’s deficiencies

Despite Tom Izzo’s odd vote of confidence for a vanquished foe, Jim Ferry is a real question mark for the Nittany Lions.

It’s very difficult to determine the value a coaching staff has in the sport of college basketball. And, credit where credit is due, he drew up an amazing play to get Dread an open look for the win Tuesday night, although it did look a lot like Pat’s playcall vs Rutgers last year. But the two previous possessions out of timeouts were bungled. Was that execution or play call?

Who knows.

This team wasn’t ready to play in the first half against Michigan State, and that cost them the game.

Supposedly an offensive guru, the offense has become completely stagnant the past few games as the Lions have cooled off from the three-point line.

I’ve been hard on Ferry because it just seems like former head coach Pat Chambers would have found a way to win some of the close games on the road late.

But, he has given the Lions the chance to dance.  And at 7-9, well I guess that’s something.

#keepclimbing