Each year Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers has added more depth and talent to his roster.
A guard here, a forward there, all in the hope that down the road the Nittany Lions will have options.
That day seems to have arrived and a 61-48 victory over Morgan State came with it.
On a night where the usual heavy lifters, Donovan Jack, Brandon Taylor and Ross Travis, combined for a total of 9 points, the Nittany Lions were carried by a new cast of characters. It’s a group whose collective success or failure will largely determine the outcome of Penn State’s season.
From the outset freshman Shep Garner took over the majority of the duties at the point guard position en route to an efficient 14 point debut performance on 6-of-9 shooting. Garner quickly proved why he earned a somewhat unexpected spot in the Nittany Lions’ starting five as he impressed the 7,,402 in attendance with sharp passing and pretty finishes from around the court. His confidence was evident during all 29 minutes of playing time.
Senior guard DJ Newbill would add 17 points including a big three late in the first half as Garner drove, gracefully dished to a teammate who would rope the ball back out to Newbill for an open look. Newbill struggled early in the game and his 4-of-10 shooting was far from his best performance. But in the game’s final minutes he would find his trademark step back jumper from just atop the key when Penn State needed it most.
Despite trailing early in the game by as many as 8 points, Penn State would never lead by fewer than 10 points in the games’ final 13:50 after taking a 31-25 lead into the break. The Nittany Lions eventually got the engine running, and while the game was never out of reach for Morgan State, victory was never really within its grasp either.
Defensive ace Geno Thorpe would also add his talents to the mix with an 11 point outing in 19 minutes of play going 4-of-7 from the field and finishing strong at the basket. Big men Jordan Dickerson and Julian Moore would contribute as well with 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist and 4 points.
Eighteen turnovers and a cold start will worry the more observant fan, but perhaps the biggest takeaway from Friday night’s season opener is that all of the players Penn State needs to step up this season did just that. While one game is hardly enough evidence to draw broad conclusions, fans ought to have left the Bryce Jordan Center feeling more impressed with the future of the roster rather than concerned about any of the negatives that were evident as well.
In conclusion, Penn State’s season opener looked like what many season openers do: Sloppy with a sprinkle of what a team will probably look like with more practices, games and time under the belt.
The Nittany Lions will be back in action this Sunday at 5 p.m. against Fordham.
Notes:
- Chambers would say following the game that Garner had earned his place in the starting five weeks ago despite telling the media and the team that nothing had been decided yet.
“The kid earned the right to start. He gets it done on both ends of the floor. It shows as a team, a staff, and a program our confidence in him to be able to make plays. I’ve watched him play since he was a young kid and he is fearless. I’m proud of the way he competed; we obviously needed his production tonight. The ball was not dropping for us, but in general I was proud of my team. To be a freshman and to come out and play the way he did is great. The future’s bright for him. Penn State basketball is definitely changing for the good.”
- No sign of JUCO transfer Devin Foster on Friday night. While nothing is certain he is likely still adjusting to learning a new offense and defense as well as meeting Chambers’ high practice and performance standards.
- Payton Banks was MIA as well as Isaiah Washington. Banks might crack the rotation sooner or later but Washington is likely headed toward a redshirt as a freshman. Chambers hasn’t confirmed the redshirt move, but outside of injuries it would make the most sense for both team and player moving forward.
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