Penn State Basketball: How to beat Purdue in the Big Ten Quarterfinals
By Evan Smith
Can Dallion Johnson recapture magic?
Just three weeks ago, Dallion Johnson had back-to-back games in double digits (15 in the home win vs Northwestern and 11 in the loss vs Nebraska).
However, in the last three games, Johnson’s only scored a total of two points.
Penn State Basketball will get points from Lundy, Jalen Pickett, and Sam Sessoms. The Lions have the ball in their hands the majority of the game, they’ll get their ten plus points.
But, PSU needs a fourth scorer.
Harrar will add a few but someone will need to step up.
Dallion Johnson wasn’t a starter until the second half of the year, despite the abysmal performance from Jaheam Cornwall all season. Johnson more than earned his starting spot and has been a nice contributor.
For an eight-game stretch encompassing almost all of February, Johnson played a minimum of 23 minutes each game and hit at least one three-point shot in all of them, including an impressive 5-9 performance, essentially winning the game vs Northwestern.
However, he’s been cold recently, starting at Rutgers when he only played ten minutes despite starting. Even in Thursday night’s win, Johnson only played 14 minutes.
Shrewsbery hasn’t done Dallion any favors with his odd rotations this year, but Johnson will need to take advantage of whatever odd minutes he gets tonight for Penn State to pull off the upset. Dallion hits three or more threes, the Nittany Lions have a real chance at knocking off Purdue, advancing to their first Big Ten Tournament Semifinals since 2011.