Game Grades: Men’s Basketball vs. Maryland

Story posted February 6, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Aidan Torok

The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Maryland Terrapins by a score of 55-50 on Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center.  Penn State was able to find the winning formula after falling to Wisconsin earlier in the week.

Let's explore how Penn State was able to get back on track.

Offense: C-

Despite coming away with a victory, Penn State’s offense was not at its best on Friday night. In fact, heading into intermission, Penn State had its lowest point total all season.  Two of Penn State’s leading scorers, Seth Lundy and Myreon Jones, just didn’t show up. Lundy and Jones combined for only four total points all night.

Penn State’s offense usually prides itself on being fast paced and having a high field goal percentage. Friday night Penn State struggled shooting the ball. The Nittany Lions shot a mere 31.5 percent from the field.

Penn State also turned the ball over too many times. The 13 turnovers gave Maryland plenty of opportunities. Maryland just couldn’t capitalize on the other end.

Finishing the night with only 55 points and still getting the win is not what we would expect to see. However, Penn State’s offense was able to do just enough for the victory.

Give credit to Maryland, it was able to slow this game down and not provide any fast break opportunities.

Nevertheless, this was still an impressive victory for the Nittany Lions. A night when they didn’t shoot the ball well, they were able to persevere and find other ways to score.

John Harrar was a beast down low, and provided a scoring punch under the basket. If Penn State wants to make a run down the stretch, the Nittany Lions are going to need this balanced attack.

Defense: A+

Penn State’s defense was the best it's been all year long. The Nittany Lions were able to slow down a very talented Maryland team. The Terrapins were only able to shoot 35.4 percent from the field.

Make no mistake, this game was won because of Penn State’s defense. It is nearly impossible to hold a team to 50 points for the whole game in today’s typical game.  Penn State was able to play this great defensive effort without even fouling.

John Harrar was the star of tonight's game. Not only did he provide a spark on the offensive side, but Harrar was a pest defensively as well. Harrar was able to rack up 12 rebounds.

Coaching: B+

This is a game Penn State had to win if it wanted to keep its tournament hopes alive. Give credit to Jim Ferry, he motivated his team and they came out with a huge victory.

Ferry was successful tonight because he was able to adapt. Penn State has not won ugly games this season.

The Nittany Lions have had heartbreaking defeats against Indiana, Seton Hall and Michigan this season. Friday night, Penn State was able to change its game plan and find a way to win. Which is all that really matters. A win is a win.

The Big Ten has been arguably the hardest conference in basketball this season. Any win is impressive. Especially against a Maryland team that is fighting for a tournament bid as well.

 

Aidan Torok is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Aidan Torok's photo

Aidan Torok

Sophmore / Broadcast Journalism

Aidan Torok is a sophmore from West Caldwell, New Jersey majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. He produces content and does play-by-play announcing and beat writing for the CommRadio sports department. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).