Game Preview: Penn State vs. Bucknell
Host Andrew Field is joined by Jack McCune, Ben Geller and Derek Heid as they preview the upcoming matchup for Penn State vs. Bucknell on Tuesday and discuss players to watch and keys to the game.
The Nittany Lions will look to continue their winning ways as they welcome Bucknell to Happy Valley this Tuesday. Penn State is unbeaten through its first four contests and have lived up to its high expectations for the season so far.
Statement win
Penn State traveled to Georgetown for its first road game of the season and went on to defeat the Hoyas 81-66. This was also the first time that the Nittany Lions were not favored to win in the early season.
Myreon Jones led the way, as he tallied 21 points in the game. Myles Dread and Lamar Stevens also chipped in 14 points each.
The victory over Georgetown marked Stevens’ 17th consecutive game in which he scored over at least 10 points. The last time he failed to do so was a loss last season on Jan. 16, scoring only eight points against Iowa.
Better late than never
Although he was on the court for the full 20 minutes, Stevens was absent from the first half against Georgetown. Stevens had a rough start from the field, as he missed his first five shots and only converted on one of his first four free-throw attempts. At the end of the first half, Stevens had registered a total of just four points.
The senior was able to find success scoring in the second half of the game. He finished the game with 14 points and helped the Nittany Lions hold on to their lead.
Emerging star
Sophomore Myreon Jones is becoming a bigger part of the Penn State offense every game. Jones has increased his scoring totals in every game this season, and his 3-point shooting ability has played a large part in that.
Although it is still early, Jones is shooting over 50% from the field and is 9 of 16 from 3-point range. He has already surpassed his season total from last year, in which he only made seven 3-point attempts.
Final analysis
Penn State’s opponent, Bucknell, enters Tuesday night’s game with a 2-2 record, featuring wins over Hofstra and Fairfield and losses to Vermont and Canisius. Although the Bison are always a favorite to win the Patriot League, they’re no match for Penn State. Using their physical defense and improved shooting ability, the Nittany Lions should be able to overpower Bucknell for a full 40 minutes.
Prediction: Penn State 82, Bucknell 67
Ben Serfass is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bxs1001@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Jack McCune
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
Jack McCune is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism from Yardley, Pennsylvania, which is outside of Philly and just across the Delaware River from New Jersey. He attended Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. He’s a huge fan of the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, Penn State football and Penn State basketball. He’s a sports anchor and multimedia reporter for the Centre County Report. He’s a Football Insider for CommRadio. His talk show, Broad Street Bros, airs Thursday nights at 5:45, as he talks about Philly and Penn State sports. He hopes to some day become a play-by-play announcer for football, basketball and/or baseball, and he is also interested in becoming a bartender.
Andrew Field
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
Andrew Field is a senior from Haverford, Pennsylvania, which is actually right outside of Philly in the land of “Delco.” He is a huge Philly sports fan, as he has a passion and excitement for all four Philly teams and also all Penn State sports. He writes articles for the sports and arts & entertainment departments. He is the co-manager of the ad/sales team and has a weekly talk show called Broad Street Bros. He hopes to one day work in the sports industry or become a writer.
