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Penn State Basketball: 2019-20 keys for a B1G home win vs. Indiana

By Robert Kennedy

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Smaller, yet important keys

In previous articles, I’ve written about the Nittany Lions and what they need to do to win games. Some things are just worth repeating over and over. As a reader, you may say to yourself, “This guy says the same things over and over again. This is boring.” Well, winning basketball comes down to a few things that you must do better than your opponent.

First, your best players need to stay on the floor and out of foul trouble. I’ve written before about Lamar Stevens’ foul troubles. I’m glad to report that the string of consecutive games of committing four or more fouls during the game ended with Michigan. Lamar committed only two personal fouls against the Wolverines. This allowed him to stay on the court for 34 minutes and he was able to add to his stat sheet, because of it.

Along with Stevens, Jamari Wheeler needs to stay as foul-trouble-free as possible. His team needs his defense to harass opposing ball handlers, distribute the ball and key the transition offense. Likewise, Mike Watkins needs to stay out of foul trouble to remain eligible to play.

Second, Penn State needs to control the boards. Against Michigan, Penn State grabbed 32 defensive rebounds. Indiana poses a stiffer challenge. According to Indiana’s notes for the upcoming game available at Hoosiers.com, IU is second in the Big Ten and #12 in the country in rebound margin. Penn State needs to find a man and box out if they want to run the floor in transition. The Nittany Lions want to run the floor in transition.

Finally, make your free-throws. I repeat this incessantly, but in close games, free throw shooting will either make you a hero or make you the zero. Against last year’s version of the Hoosiers, in their only meeting against Penn State, the Nittany Lions missed 15 free-throws and lost the game by two points. This year the free-throw shooting has been much improved. According to Sports Reference, the Lions are shooting 72.8 percent from the line, in conference play.  Last year they shot 68.6 percent from the foul line, in conference play. This year, every single point you can get with the clocked stopped is pure gold.

Next. Biggest questions of the week. dark

In conclusion, the number 24 team in the country needs to win at home. The better teams in the Big Ten get this done…they win at home. All you have to do is look East and see Rutgers with their sterling 12-0 home record (Watch Purdue beat them now that I’ve written this). The Bryce Jordan Center should be close to a sellout and the students will be coming out in droves to get their free meal. I would like to leave you with this thought. Win or lose, it’s a great time to be a fan of Big Ten Basketball. It’s a great time to be a fan of Nittany Lion Basketball. I’m a fan of both. I’m a lucky guy.

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