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Penn State Basketball: 3 key storylines for the Nittany Lions against NC State

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 29: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions after finishing the game against the Utah Utes during the 2018 NIT Championship game at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 29: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions after finishing the game against the Utah Utes during the 2018 NIT Championship game at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Penn State Basketball is 5-4 entering this Saturday’s game. Here’s a look at three keys to keeping their record above .500.

At one point this season, Penn State Basketball had a record of 4-1. Since then, they’ve lost three of their last five contests with a big game coming up on Saturday against the NC State Wolfpack.

The Nittany Lions have made some adjustments in the past few games and look to get back to their winning ways. Their defense hasn’t been so much of an issue, considering they allow just 64.4 points per game but it’s been their lack of offense that hasn’t been able to push them over the edge.

Forward Lamar Stevens is putting up 20.1 points per game and senior guard Josh Reaves is doing his thing, producing 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals per contest. It’s been the supporting cast that they need to step it up, particularly their new guys.

Freshman guard Rasir Bolton has been one player that’s emerged as a future threat. He’s the team’s second-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game. Myles Dread is averaging 8.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest but he’s still due for a breakout game.

Given those odds, the Penn State Nittany Lions aren’t going to lay down lightly against the Wolfpack. They will have to be ready to play and following some keys could help. Here’s a look at three keys to victory for Penn State against the Wolfpack.