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

By Brian Rauf

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Stevens (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Stevens (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Key reserves

John Harrar
Harrar stepped up and played well late in the season after Watkins got hurt and averaged over seven rounds per game in the NIT. He earned a lot of playing time with his play late in the season and will serve as this group’s sixth man.

Satchel Pierce
The Virginia Tech transfer was extremely inconsistent last season and was never able to contribute in a meaningful way. His ability to earn more minutes will depend on his defense, but he has the skill to make an impact off the bench.

Myreon Jones
The 6-3 combo guard can fill it up offensively in a variety of ways but really needs to add weight onto his 170-pound frame before he can be anything more than a spot contributor.

Rasir Bolton
A three-star prospect from Massanutten Military Academy, Bolton will likely only provide spot minutes in the guard rotation. He’ll be able to earn more as the season goes on but will start the season in a minor role.

Daniil Kasastkin
The Russian native is a 6-7 guard who is a quality shooter and has experience playing for Russia’s U-16 and U-18 national teams. His size, versatility, and shooting should earn him a few minutes off the bench every night.

Deivis Zemgulis
Zemgulis was thought to be Penn State’s three-point specialist last year but he struggled, making only 25 percent of his shots from behind the arc last year. He’s not athletic enough to make an impact in other ways, so if he continues to struggle, he’ll be out of the rotation.

Trent Buttrick
The 6-8 forward has good stretch-four potential but has yet to show that’s anything other than potential. PSU will need him to take some major steps forward if he’ll be a part of the rotation.

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