3 Reasons Penn State Basketball Isn’t going to play this postseason
By Evan Smith
Penn State Basketball will likely be on the outside looking in when the college basketball postseason begins, with some familiar trends to blame
Barring a miracle, Penn State Basketball will not be playing in the post-season this year.
The first year under a new coach never comes with the highest of expectations but after a home upset of then-ranked Michigan State and demolition of Minnesota, the path towards at least NIT (National Invitation Tournament) eligibility became quite clear.
Unfortunately, that path went out the door when Penn State Basketball fell at a very poor Maryland team Monday night.
The Nittany Lions have played 10 conference games (out of 16 thus far) within a final score margin of ten points or less.
A common theme from PSU Hoops fans this year is ‘well if we’d have won more close games, we’d be on the NCAA Tournament bubble!’Penn State Basketball’s record in those games is 4-6, basically right in line with their 11-13 record.
Oft forgotten are the two conference wins to start 2022 vs Indiana and Northwestern that PSU won by a combined 7 points.
So, yes, there are close losses that have hurt the record but a 4-6 record in those games is fair given this team. So ‘not winning close games’ is not the reason Penn State isn’t going to play in the postseason this year.