NCAA Basketball: Overall takeaways from 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Penn State Nittany Lions – Izaiah Brockington the most important player

Up towards this game, sophomore Seth Lundy has rightfully got all the headlines for the Nittany Lions. So of course, he goes scoreless when on national television. Yet they were able to dominate a ranked Virginia Tech squad, thanks to the rest of the rotation all stepping up. No one did more than Brockington, who led all scorers with 25 points and eight rebounds.

It’s important to note what Brockington brings to Penn State. He’s essentially the team’s starting power forward, as they don’t have much size outside of big man John Harrar. Not only does the 6’4 junior guard have to deal with tough defensive assignments and having to crash the boards but he also needs to provide consistent double-digit scoring on offense. He was able to get away with it against a small Virginia Tech lineup but Brockington will have major work to do in the Big Ten.

Virginia Tech Hokies – Still working on perimeter rotation lineups

The Hokies have recently gotten Jalen Cone back from injury, who went 4-12 off the bench for 11 points in the loss. He and Naheim Alleyne were the lone double-digit scorers for Va Tech in the game, with just about everyone else struggling offensively.

With Kansas State grad transfer Cartier Diarra not becoming that go-to offensive option yet, it’s essentially a free-for-all in terms of minutes and shots among the guards. There isn’t a Landers Nolley this time around but the Hokies need to find someone to step up and be that consistent scorer. That’s the only way Tech can even be considered top-25 good.