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Penn State Basketball: 2021-22 season preview for Nittany Lions

Mar 10, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Lat Mayen (11) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) controls the ball in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Lat Mayen (11) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) controls the ball in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
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Penn State Basketball Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Basketball Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Starting lineup

PG: Jaheam Cornwall, Senior

Jaheam Cornwall comes over from Gardner-Webb, where he has spent all four seasons of his collegiate career. He was an All-Big South player last season, leading the Bulldogs with 14.1 points per game, including 40.8 percent shooting from three, his second season above the 40 percent threshold. Cornwall should quickly bring an offensive jolt to the team.

SG: Jalen Pickett, Senior

He’s never played for the Nittany Lions, but Jalen Pickett is already one of the team’s best players. The shooting guard won MAAC Player of the Year in 2019, only the second sophomore to do so. He took a slight step back last season, averaging a career-low 12.9 points and 4.8 assists per game, though he boosted his rebounds to 6.3 per game. As someone who remarkably led the MAAC in assists per game in three straight seasons, Shrewsberry will look at Pickett as a prime facilitator, despite being more of a shooting guard.

SF: Myles Dread, Senior

Myles Dread is better suited for shooting guard and there’s a decent chance he comes off the bench instead of starts. He averaged 7.3 points per game largely off the bench last season, finishing second on the team by knocking down 45 threes on a 34.6 percent conversion rate. Dread started his first two seasons and never averaged double-figures, but this could be the year as a veteran returning leader.

PF: Seth Lundy, Junior

As a sophomore, Seth Lundy showed promise as one of Penn State’s better players, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He managed to support that with two 30-point performances, demonstrating his ability as a dynamic scorer. He’s a bit undersized for power forward at 6-foot-6, but he’ll bang around on the inside and make a difference defensively, finishing 19th in the Big Ten in block percentage last season.

C: John Harrar, Senior

John Harrar is one of the more underrated players in the country. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention status last season after averaging 9.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, shooting 54.9 percent from the field. Harrar is particularly adept at grabbing offensive rebounds, with his 3.8 offensive boards per game leading the conference last season. He has the potential to average a double-double for the year.