Penn State Scouting Report

The Nittany Lions are currently 8-8 and 2-3 in conference after losing at home to Northwestern. After making the second round in the NCAA tournament under Micah Shrewsberry, the Nittany Lions are rebuilding under new head coach Mike Rhoades. Bring a more aggressive defensive style from VCU, Rhoades rebuilt the Penn State roster with several key transfers, including formed A10 player of the year Ace Baldwin Junior.

New Look Offense

With Shrewsberry leaving, so to does a lot of the senior-laden roster leave. Last year, Nittany Lions ranked tenth nationally in three point attempt rate and seventh nationally in three point percentage, this year those numbers are down to 101 nationally in three point rate and 308 in three point percentage. The team relies on their quickness and ball security to relentlessly attack the rim without turning the ball over at a high clip.

Player Profile

#0 - Kanye Clary

Clary is a small, lefty guard with blazing quickness. He has no fear when driving into the paint and finishes well from two point range. He is always looking to drive, especially towards the defenders top foot, and is very creative with his movement after he picks up the ball. In ball screen situations, he loves to reject the screen to avoid the help. Interestingly, he seems to become more comfortable shooting on the perimeter the longer he dribbles without driving, yet he is still liable to try to drive whenever given a chance. Passing wise, Clary looks towards the closest open man after he is contained.

• Force his drives into help defense and don't bail him out with bad fouls

#1 - Ace Baldwin Jr.

The VCU transfer is the second shifty, lefty guard for Penn State. The senior loves to get to the rim, favoring driving to his right but is also effective going towards his dominate hand. If he is stopped, he likes to step back to his right to shoot a mid range shot where he has shot 31% on the season. Off the ball, he makes quick decisions to either drive or pass that continues offensive advantages.

• Force him to score with his perimeter shooting

#22 - Qudus Wahab

The starting center for Penn State has finished well from two point range. As a screener, he does not force contact or angle his screens well, rather choosing to roll into post positioning. In the post, he is extremely physical getting to his right hook and puts his head down to make his scoring move.

• Force his touches further from the basket, take away his left hand, and help defense stealing the ball

#2 - D'Marco Dunn

The North Carolina product has shot well from three this season in catch and shoot scenarios. Inside the three point line, he has struggled finishing at the rim and is not a good passer.

• Force him off the three point line into help defense

#4 - Puff Johnson

Also coming from North Carolina, Johnson is a very similar player to D'Marco Dunn. He is aggressive shooting from the corners and has struggled when forced to drive the ball. Help defense can be super aggressive helping on his drives because he has really struggled passing the basketball.

• Force him off the three point line into help defense

#3 - Nick Kern

Following Rhoades to Penn State, Nick Kern is the best athlete that Rhoades has on the roster. He has not made a three this season and has struggled at the free throw line. His value comes when he can attack the rim with one or two dribbles.

• Playing heavy help defense off of him and ready to cut off drives

#24 - Zach Hicks

• Run him off the line and make him prove himself by driving the basketball

Offensive Sets

Double Ghost Screens

Indicators

• Clary running up from the corner towards Baldwin

How to Defend

• Guards have to be decisive and communicate

Double Stagger

Indicators

• A lot of action in the middle of the floor with Clary jogging to the corner

How to Defend

• Guards trailing screens with the bigs compressed into the paint

Middle Screen and Replace

Indicators

• Similar to the double stagger, the key is recognizing where the big goes

How to Defend

• Normal drop coverage with the help compressing the floor

Dribble handoff ball screen

Indicators

• The big starting on the block

• Ball being rotated to Clary's side

How to Defend

• Looking to go under screens to cut off the drive

Penn State Defense

Mike Rhoades brings his aggressive run and jump defense to Penn State. The defense has playmakers in Clary and Baldwin who are extremely quick with great hands, this has led to them being ninth nationally in defensive turnover percentage.

Defensive Principles/Style

The defense is built around athleticism throughout the floor to hound ball handlers. Penn State's on ball defense is about getting deflections that lead to turnovers. The opposing guards have to be careful with their dribble and aware of driving too deep into the paint. The help defense is selective in helping on drives and mainly looking to dig and recover. Off the ball, they do not switch and normally trail around screens. Penn State hard hedges ball screens with the low man tagging the roller. An area of mystery is how Penn State is going to defend the post, especially with a dominating center such as Zach Edey.

Predicted Matchups

Braden Smith - Ace Baldwin

Lance Jones - Kanye Clary

Fletcher Loyer - Zach Hicks

Trey Kauffman-Renn - Puff Johnson

Zach Edey - Qudus Wahab

Keys for Purdue

Offensive Keys

1. Zach Edey getting back on track both scoring and passing

2. Braden Smith dominating against the hard hedge

3. Purdue limiting turnovers

   1. Less than 12 turnovers

Defensive Keys

1. Guards playing connected

   1. Hold Penn State's guards to under 40% shooting from the field

2. Dominate the rebound battle

   1. Rebound 75% of Penn State misses