Penn State Nittany Lions
Big Ten (21-10, 11-9)
When Lamar Stevens opted to return for his senior season, the expectations in Happy Valley grew. The Nittany Lions managed to crush even the loftiest of expectations. They spent some time in the top ten of the polls and beat the best teams the Big Ten has to offer. This will be Penn State’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011 and the Nittany Lions will be looking to win their first tournament game since 2001.
Big Wins: 12/10 Maryland (76-69), 1/18 Ohio State (90-76), 2/4 at Michigan State (75-70)
Bad Losses: 11/27 vs Mississippi (72-74), 1/15 at Minnesota (69-75), 3/7 at Northwestern (69-80)
Coach: Pat Chambers
Why They Can Surprise:
Stevens is the star of this team. The 6-8 senior averages 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. While it is obvious that Stevens does a lot for this team, he was forced to do even more last season. This year Stevens is getting a little more help. Mike Watkins is a tough forward who is averaging 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. John Harrar and Seth Lundy are not going to put up big numbers, but Harrar is tough in the paint and Lundy can stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability. Myreon Jones has turned into the secondary scoring threat behind Stevens. Jones has missed some time due to an illness, but he is a consistent shooter and all-around scorer when healthy.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Jamari Wheeler spearheads the defense effort. The guard deserves plenty of credit for taking care of the basketball on the other end of the floor as well. However, Wheeler is not much of an offensive threat and that leaves quite a bit of pressure on players like Izaiah Brockington and Myles Dread to provide another scoring threat. When Jones was out with an illness, the Penn State offense took a step back in tough losses to Illinois and Indiana. Even with Jones, in the NCAA Tournament, Penn State will need one of those guards to consistently hit some shots and another dynamic to the offense.
Probable Starters:
Jamari Wheeler, Junior, Guard, 3.8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg
Myreon Jones, Sophomore, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 3.0 apg
Seth Lundy, Freshman, Forward, 5.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg
John Harrar, Junior, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Lamar Stevens, Senior, Forward, 17.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.2 bpg
Key Role Players:
Mike Watkins, Senior, Forward, 9.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Myles Dread, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 2.2 apg
Curtis Jones, Senior, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 1.2 apg
Izaiah Brockington, Sophomore, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 1.1 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.1 (72nd in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.2 (144, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.1 (213, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.1 (72, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (92, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.5 (216, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.2 (232, 9)
Rebound Margin: 1.1 (149, 10)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (80, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.3 (30, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NIT | First Round win over Temple |
| 2018 | NIT | Second Round win over Notre Dame |
| 2018 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Marquette |
| 2018 | NIT | Semifinal win over Mississippi State |
| 2018 | NIT | Championship win over Utah |
| 2014 | CBI | First Round win over Hampton |
| 2014 | CBI | Quarterfinal loss to Siena |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Temple |
| 2009 | NIT | First Round win over George Mason |
| 2009 | NIT | Second Round win over Rhode Island |
| 2009 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Florida |
| 2009 | NIT | Semifinal win over Notre Dame |
| 2009 | NIT | Final win over Baylor |
| 2006 | NIT | Opening Round loss to Rutgers |
| 2001 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Providence |
| 2001 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over North Carolina |
| 2001 | NCAA | Regional semifinal loss to Temple |
| 2000 | NIT | First Round win over Princeton |
| 2000 | NIT | Second Round win over Siena |
| 2000 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Kent State |
| 2000 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Notre Dame |
*all team stats through 3/8
