Penn State Nittany Lions
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #72
Conference Rank: #9 Big Ten
Penn State had their best season since 2008-09, notching 26 wins in 2017-18. The Nittany Lions finished 9-9 in the Big Ten, their best conference record since 2010-11. However, Penn State fell just short of the NCAA Tournament and went on to become the NIT champions. Penn State loses two starters from last season, including first team All-Big Ten member Tony Carr. The Nittany Lions will have three double-digit scorers back, but depth could be an issue this season.
2017-18 Record: 26-13, 9-9
2017-18 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Pat Chambers
Coach Record: 113-122 at Penn State, 155-150 overall
Key Departed Players:
Tony Carr, Guard, 19.6 ppg
Shep Garner, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Nazeer Bostick, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Julian Moore, Center, 2.2 ppg
Tony Carr, Guard, 19.6 ppg
Shep Garner, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Nazeer Bostick, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Julian Moore, Center, 2.2 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Lamar Stevens, Junior, Forward, 15.5 ppg
Mike Watkins, Junior, Forward, 12.1 ppg
Josh Reaves, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg
Jamari Wheeler, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
John Harrar, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg
Satchel Pierce, Senior, Center, 1.6 ppg
Deividas Zemgulis, Senior, Forward, 0.8 ppg
Trent Buttrick, Sophomore, Forward, 0.5 ppg
Mike Watkins, Junior, Forward, 12.1 ppg
Josh Reaves, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg
Jamari Wheeler, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
John Harrar, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg
Satchel Pierce, Senior, Center, 1.6 ppg
Deividas Zemgulis, Senior, Forward, 0.8 ppg
Trent Buttrick, Sophomore, Forward, 0.5 ppg
Key New Players:
Rasir Bolton, Freshman, Guard
Myles Dread, Freshman, Guard
Myreon Jones, Freshman, Guard
Daniil Kasatkin, Freshman, Guard
Rasir Bolton, Freshman, Guard
Myles Dread, Freshman, Guard
Myreon Jones, Freshman, Guard
Daniil Kasatkin, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
With Tony Carr off to the NBA and Shep Garner graduated, the returning starters will have 31 points per game to replace. Lamar Stevens is the top returning scorer, averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks as a sophomore. Stevens is primed for a breakout junior campaign. Mike Watkins and Josh Reaves are the remaining two starters returning. Both Watkins and Reaves made the All-Big Ten defensive team last season. Watkins averaged 12.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as a sophomore and should be an even more imposing force this year. Reaves is a defensive specialist who averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals. Penn State doesn’t have any other returning players who averaged more than two points per game last season. Jamari Wheeler and John Harrar were limited as freshmen and will be expected to carry more weight as sophomore this year. The Nittany Lions also added four freshmen to the roster who will each have an opportunity to get playing time right away. Penn State basketball appears to be on the upswing, but the Nittany Lions will need to prove they can win big games without Tony Carr this season.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.7 (149th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.7 (42, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.1 (95, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.5 (87, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.5 (178, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.7 (31, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.2 (225, 9)
Rebound Margin: 2.6 (90, 7)
Assists Per Game: 13.9 (161, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (79, 9)
Madness 2018 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#118 Myreon Jones
#155 Myles Dread
