Penn State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Nittany Lions

Projected starters

Jamari Wheeler
Wheeler didn’t play much last season as Carr’s backup, averaging just 14.4 minutes per game. However, he was the only PSU player to appear in every game other than Carr, showing how much trust Chambers has in him. That trust should only grow now that he’s a sophomore.

Myles Dread
This starting spot is the one that is really up for grabs and will likely go back and forth between PSU’s four freshman guards. However, we’re giving the nod to Dread right now because of his size (6-4) and offensive ability. He has also been one of the stars of the offseason and has Jon Rothstein tweeting about him.

Josh Reaves
Reaves was an All-Big Ten defense selection a year ago and, while that’s his bread and butter, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as well. Expect him to be one of the country’s leaders in steals.

Lamar Stevens
Stevens is set to be a breakout star in 2018-19. He averaged over 15.5 ppg last year and has already shown he can take his game to another level, putting up 20 points and 11 rebounds in a scrimmage win over West Virginia on Saturday. Simply put, there isn’t anything the versatile 6-8 junior can’t do. Penn State will go as far as he takes them.

Mike Watkins
Another All-Big Ten defense selection, Watkins proved to be one of the Big Ten’s better big men with 12.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 2.3 bpg last season. He’ll play a similar role offensively while continuing to serve as this group’s defensive anchor.