Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each team’s overall offense for 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Myles Dread #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Myles Dread #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions

2019-20: 71.6 ppg in Big Ten play

Penn State Basketball managed to average the fourth-most points scored in the Big Ten last season while having the fifth-best three-point percentage, ninth-best two-point percentage, and the tenth best free throw percentage. The stats did not indicate that they should have averaged over 70 points then, but now, things will just get more difficult with the departure of Lamar Stevens (17.5 ppg) and Mike Watkins (9.6 ppg). This season the Nittany Lions will struggle to stay in the top ten when it comes to putting the ball through the hoop.

Patrick Chalmers had his team attempt the second-most field goals in the Big Ten, unfortunately, Stevens and Watkins attempted 35 percent of them. While there is an opportunity for others to step up, are they able to is yet to be proven. The attention Stevens and Watkins got from the defense will be missed most by their former teammates.

The 6’9, 250 pound Watkins demanded a double team every time he got the ball in the paint, this year’s starting center John Harrar hustled for the four points per game he averaged. Although they were off rebounds and loose balls, not from poting up

Last season when Watkins was not on the floor the guard-heavy Nittany Lions set up in a five-out set in order to spread the defense and beat their defender off the dribble. In this set, Stevens was the one with the most success getting to the basket and drawing help from the shooter’s defenders. This season Seth Lundy (5.3 ppg) and back-up freshman power forward Abdou Tsimblia will be better used in the four-low set and screen for the screener in the paint so Myreon Jones (13.3 ppg) and Myles Dread (8.6 ppg) can get to the perimeter to shoot from deep.

Jones benefitted greatly from the Watkins screen, as Watkins could take advantage of any switch, the Harrar screen will not be as dangerous. Starting small-forward Dread will be rewarded for his hustle on the offensive end, with open looks for his spot-up threes, which will be less open without Stevens and Watkins. The Nittany Lions will be able to give different looks at point guard, as starter Jamari Wheeler averaged three field-goal attempts, whereas Sam Sessoms (19.4 ppg) averaged 17 shots for Binghamton in the America East Conference.

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