Game Grades: Penn State Men’s Basketball vs. Nebraska
Penn State hosted Nebraska in its final home game of the season and got embarrassed 93-70. Everything went right for the Cornhuskers while everything went wrong for the Nittany Lions.
It was Penn State’s final game at the Bryce Jordan Center this year and it fell to the bottom team in the Big Ten, so let’s grade their final appearance at home.
Effort: D-
Penn State played its worst game of the year and it was shocking from what we saw just two nights prior. The Nittany Lions fought back to win a close game against Northwestern on Friday, to turn around and lose to the worst team in the Big Ten by 23 points is inexcusable.
Penn State lacked the necessary effort to win a game in the Big Ten. Penn State was slow to loose balls and was very lazy on defense and the glass.
The only thing keeping this grade from being an F was senior leader John Harrar. Harrar gave everything he had in his final game of his career at the Bryce Jordan Center, and left it all on the floor.
Penn State was embarrassed by Nebraska in its final home game, and the lack of effort was evident by the end of the game.
Defense: F
Penn State had the best scoring defense in the Big Ten, but they were terrible in their loss to Nebraska. The Nittany Lions gave up 93 points, the most points the Nittany Lions have given up all year.
Nebraska shot an incredible 58.2% from the field and 65% from deep. A lot of their shots were wide open as well, and Penn State showed no signs of slowing down the Cornhuskers on Sunday night.
Penn State allowed all five starters for Nebraska to hit double-figures, as well as star Bryce McGowens to go for 25 points on an impressive 8-for-13 shooting.
Penn State’s defense has kept them in many games this year, but its terrible showing on Sunday led to a blowout loss in their home finale.
Coaching: F
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry has been very good for Penn State this year, but this was his worst coaching performance of the year.
Penn State was not ready to play on Sunday and it showed. They lacked a defensive scheme to slow down Nebraska’s offensive attack, as well as lacking a strong offense to get open shots.
All of this is a huge surprise, as Penn State played extremely well on both ends against the Wildcats on Friday. All of that was thrown out the window on Sunday when they faced the Cornhuskers.
Coach Shrewsberry has done a fantastic job coaching this team all year, but Sunday’s performance was easily the worst showing the Nittany Lions have had in their run through the Big Ten this year.
Penn State’s defeat puts them at 12-14 on the year and 7-11 in conference play. The Nittany Lions hit the road on Thursday to take on Illinois, and finish the year in New Jersey taking on Rutgers.
Adam Sheetz is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
