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Here’s Penn State Basketball’s ideal 2021 starting five

By Evan Smith

Mar 10, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Lat Mayen (11) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) controls the ball in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Lat Mayen (11) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) controls the ball in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Members of the Penn State Lionettes Dance Team , Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Members of the Penn State Lionettes Dance Team , Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn State Basketball has plenty of work to do, but here’s a look at the lineup the Nittany Lions are projected to hit the floor with during the 2021 NCAA hoops season

While the 2021-2022 Penn State Basketball roster is likely still a work in progress, we at Victory Bell Rings are going to take a crack at projecting their opening day starting lineup.

It’s been a wild off-season as we’ve seen departures of starters Myreon Jones (to Arkansas), Izaiah Brockington (to Iowa State), and Jamari Wheeler (to Ohio State, ugh) along with important back-ups Trent Buttrick (to UMass) and Abdou Tsimbila (unknown).  Little used reserve guard D.J. Gordon also entered the transfer portal, all in the wake of Penn State’s firing of Pat Chambers and letting go of interim coach Jim Ferry (to UMBC).

It wasn’t all bad news for the Nittany Lions, however, as new head coach Micah Shrewsberry added some talent back from the transfer portal with Boogie Cornwall (Gardner Webb), Jalen Pickett (Sienna), Jevonnie Scott (South Plains Junior College) and Greg Lee (from Western Michigan) and it’s possible more players could still choose to join the Shrew Crew in Happy Valley.

So who is starting when Penn State basketball hosts Youngstown State this November?

Penn State Basketball
Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs guard Jaheam Cornwall (Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports) /

Starting point guard: Jaheam Cornwall.

I love me some Sam Sessoms but he was very up and down last year, his first with the Nittany Lions.

Sessoms had some great moments, almost single-handedly bringing Penn State Basketball back vs Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament but inconsistent shooting from both 3-point land and the free throw stripe and constant turnovers likely gives the starting position to transfer Jaheam Cornwall.

Cornwall shot above 40 percent from three in his career at Gardner Webb and also added 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds last year.  He’s only listed at 6’0, which isn’t huge in the Big Ten Conference, but Jaheam brings a lot of experience as a four years starter. Hopefully, this provides consistency at the point guard position and some strong perimeter shooting.

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