Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 10 biggest storylines to watch for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Woodson of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after getting called for a technical foul in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Woodson of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after getting called for a technical foul in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Micah Shrewsberry of the Penn State Nittany Lions talks to Greg Lee (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Micah Shrewsberry of the Penn State Nittany Lions talks to Greg Lee (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

9. Penn State looks to take a step in year 2 with Micah Shrewsberry

The Nittany Lions finished 14-17 overall and 7-13 in Big Ten Basketball play under new head coach, Micah Shrewsberry. The former Purdue assistant entered last year with a lot of fanfare and nothing that happened on the court said that the program didn’t have a good future.

The question will be whether or not Penn State can improve on its 10th place finish in league play. They did lose two of their four double-digit scorers from last season, including guard Sam Sessions and forward John Harrar, who averaged a double-double overall.

It’ll be a collective effort in the frontcourt this season, with freshman forwards, Kebba Njie and  Demetrius Lilley getting some playing time, along with Denver transfer stretch forward Mikey Henn and returning forward Seth Lundy, second on the team with 11.9 ppg.

For Penn State to succeed, they’ll need the backcourt to lead the way. Senior guard Jalen Pickett is back after leading the team with 13.3 ppg and 4.4 apg and is an all-conference candidate on the perimeter. Joining him are a pair of transfers in Cam Wynter (15.8 ppg and 4.6 apg at Drexel), and Andrew Funk (17.6 ppg at Bucknell).

This roster added more scorers and shooting but lost some size and frontcourt production. Could 10th be the area where the Nittany Lions finish again? Or could coach Shrewsberry find a surprise in this group to lead them to a better-than-expected season?

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