Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3 of 15

Big Ten Basketball Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /

Nittany Lions . 13. team. 491. . .

Head coach Micah Shrewsberry brings some experience under his belt after spending time at Butler and Purdue as an assistant. Now, he’ll get his shot at leading a squad as he looks to revamp the Penn State basketball program.

Shrewsberry will have some talent returning to the cupboard to work with, with Seth Lundy, Myles Dread, John Harrar and Caleb Dorsey all back in the rotation. Lundy and Dread should continue to improve as perimeter threats while still maintaining their aggression as slashers on the wing.

Their biggest weakness is their backcourt with Jamari Wheeler (Ohio State), Myreon Jones (Florida) and Izaiah Brockington (Iowa State) all transferring to new places. Their hope is the additions of Jalen Pickett (Siena) and Jaheam Cornwall (Gardner-Webb) can turn the tide.

Pickett was last year’s MAAC Player of the Year after posting 12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.1 bpg in 2020-21 for Siena. He’s an upstart guard that should make quite the impact for the Nittany Lions in 2021-22.

Cornwall was a first-team All-Big South selection this past season, producing 14.1 ppg, 3.8 apg and 3.2 rpg across 26 appearances, all starts, for the Bulldogs. He’ll lead the way at point guard while Pickett should take some pressure off him off the ball given what he can do.

There are some bright spots for Penn State basketball in Year 1 of the Micah Shrewsberry experience, but it could be a season of growing paints for this group.

Home/Big Ten