Penn State basketball is set to tip for the 2015 season this Saturday at 1 PM against VMI. But before the Nittany Lions hit the court, here are a few things to know about this year’s edition of hoops in Happy Valley. A few new faces, a few old faces and maybe a new style of play.
It’s hard to know what any season of Big Ten play will bring but 2015 should be an interesting one as the Nittany Lions try and take the next step as a program.
New Faces: *starter
- *(G) Josh Reaves: A Fairfax, VA native, Reaves is the only freshman in the starting five at the outset of the season. A smooth shot and a described by most as a “freak athlete.” Glue Guy is the popular phrase used to condense Reaves’ game into a few words. He’ll do a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions and they’ll need him to.
- (F) Mike Watkins: Only a few years of basketball under his belt, Watkins is a 6-foot-8 project with a good upside. Shot blocking and rebounding are his forte but get him close to the hoop and he can finish. Watkins will work his way into the rotation eventually, but not without a bit of work first.
- (F) Deividas “Davis” Zemgulis: Another lanky and athletic specimen, Zemgulis will help Penn State spread the floor with his long range abilities and size. A work in progress but the better he shoots the more he’ll play. As always on a Pat Chambers team, defense is always the other half of the playing time equation. That’s true for everyone on the team. If he plays defense and makes his threes he’ll have an immediate impact.
- (G) Terrence Samuel: Sitting out the year due to NCAA transfer rules, the junior brings with him a championship background at UConn and according to Chambers would start today if eligible.
Returning:
- *(F) Brandon Taylor: Perhaps Penn State’s most experienced play, Taylor enters his senior season with plenty of playing time under his belt. An outside threat when shooting well, Taylor has added to his inside game with his back to basket. Taylor is the biggest threat when his threes are falling, but Penn State is looking to utilize him more inside this season to draw fouls and get to the line. In an idea world Taylor needs 10+ ppg, the hope is get them from the line and outside the arc.
- (F) Donovon Jack: He comes into his senior season looking to gain back a three-point shot he lost in 2014-15. He has to the tools on the inside and outside but they’ve been inconsistent. With one last crack to put it all together only time will tell if he can find his stroke. Penn State will need him -like Taylor- to be consistent. Neither have to lead the team in scoring, but both have to contribute on a regular basis. Penn State would probably rather 9 points a game from Jack than periodic 15-point games followed by no points at all.
- *(F) Payton Banks: Didn’t start in either of Penn State’s preseason scrimmages against Seton Hall and Hofstra but worked hard and according to Chambers, “earned the right to start.” A deceptively smooth shot from outside Banks will have to find a way to contribute on both ends of the floor. Banks is a hard worker which can often translate to rebounds. Either way, Banks has earned his chance to prove his worth.
- (F) Julian Moore: A surprisingly athletic prospect at 6-foot-10, Moore will get the most playing time of his career this season. He and Jordan Dickerson won’t see the floor at the same time but expect Moore to get in if Dickerson gets in foul trouble. That will happen more often than not, so this is a big season for the Philadelphia product. If he takes the right steps he’s in the running for dark horse most improved player.
- *(G) Shep Garner: While Penn State isn’t looking to play a game centered around one player this year, Garner is the Nittany Lions’ latest version of DJ Newbill or Tim Frazier. Garner has to find consistency, but by all accounts his offseason has been outstanding and the jump between freshman and sophomore season is a big one. Garner will probably lead Penn State in scoring this season and he’ll do so from outside and with a surprisingly smooth mid-range jumper. If Garner can match his outside shooting with an ability to finish in traffic, he’ll be a big key to this team.
- (G) Isaiah Washington: Another player not far from making a contribution, Washington is coming off his redshirt season looking to impact the 2015 season. Chambers has him not far from the rotation and given by the reports out of practice the past 12 months he is well on his way to finding minutes this year.
- *(C) Jordan Dickerson: Dickerson played some of the best basketball of his career in the Big Ten tournament last and has shown to be a defensive difference maker not only with his shot blocking but with his ability to alter shots. At 7-1, Dickerson is just a slightly improved offensive game away from being a really good asset. Penn State will happily take his skill set on the defensive end though and that’s why he’s starting.
- (G) Devin Foster: Much more comfortable this year than the first go around last season, Foster is one of the best ball handlers on the team and according to DJ Newbill, runs the pick and role to near perfection. Foster will almost certainly start his fair share of games. The question is what he can bring to the table offensively outside of quarterbacking the Nittany Lions on that end of the floor.
New Style: While it remains to be seen how this translates on the court, Penn State is looking to play a more pass-first offense that is centered around finding the best shot rather than relying on one player to carry the load. In short, fewer ball screens and more passes. How well that works will determine the success of this season.
Brandon Taylor says the offense gives players a chance to showcase their full skill set rather than simply playing a role. This offense will work best with a lot of communication, something that will take time to truly hone.
Big Games: The non conference schedule isn’t full of obvious big games, but wins against DePaul (Nov. 17) and Boston College (Dec. 2) would give the Nittany Lions positive marks against Big East and ACC opponents. A road game against an alway talented George Washington (Dec. 8) team will pose a tough test and playing at The Palestra against Drexel (Dec. 19) should prove to be another big moment for Penn State in Philadelphia. As always an early season tournament is a good test in the non conference. Penn State will open against Colorado (Dec. 22) and could face Kent State or SMU. Larry Brown and company at SMU would be a more noteworthy game than the Golden Flash.
Every Big Ten game is important but a Jan 5 home meeting with Minnesota will be the most winnable of the opening three games on a not very friendly conference slate.
Prediction: This is one of the more unusual seasons for Penn State basketball. With no clear cut No. 1 star and new faces in newer roles there are a lot of unknowns. The inclination is to think Penn State is a year or maybe two from having all the pieces in one place but that doesn’t mean 2015 is without cause. There is talent on the roster but hardly anyone has seen it play together. There will be bumps in the road, the question is how many.
A favorable non conference schedule may not open with back-to-back 12-0 starts but the Nittany Lions should have a handful of wins in the early going. From there it’s a difficult Big Ten slate. There are wins in the conference schedule to be had, but how many is impossible to say right now. Finishing at .500 would probably be a success for this season and 4-7 conference wins. If this roster can find its stride above .500 isn’t out of the question.
Penn State is recruiting talent, but it has to get to campus. As a result 2016 and 2017 are much more likely prospects for the Nittany Lions’ push up the conference table. Chambers says this team is the best shooting team he has had. Now it’s a matter of that showing up in games.
But who knows, a consistent Brandon Taylor and Shep Garner coupled with a do-it-all Josh Reaves and role players could mean even bigger and better things sooner rather than later.
