Penn State basketball not getting caught up in its top-10 ranking with Illinois coming to town
Penn State men’s basketball’s climb up The Associated Press Top 25 poll continued Monday, as the Nittany Lions are now No. 9 in the country, tying the highest rank in program history.
For head coach Pat Chambers, however, those numbers are still irrelevant.
“That’s great,” Chambers said with a smile when the team’s ranking was mentioned. “If we’re in the top 10 in three weeks then I’ll give you a better answer. We’ve still got six games to go here. One day at a time.”
Staying in the moment means focusing on the Illinois Fighting Illini, who are traveling to University Park for a Tuesday night showdown with the Nittany Lions.
The Illini are 16-9 overall and 8-6 in the Big Ten. They’re half a game back from third place in the conference and still have a shot at winning the regular season conference title.
Like Penn State, Illinois has improved greatly since last season. The program finished 2018-19 with a 12-21 record and 7-13 in the Big Ten. The Illini went from a bottom feeder to a contender in one season in part because of an experience and talent jump and in part because of a change in style.
Last season they tried to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Their defense stayed close to all offensive players at all times, staying in the face of any opponent and forcing them to work harder than usual. The Illini’s downfall came when teams adjusted and attacked the team through back cuts and increased tempo.
This season, the experience and talent increase has allowed Illinois to play a much calmer brand of basketball, although Chambers said they’re still trying to use aggressiveness to their advantage.
“I still think they rock fight and compete,” he said. “I give (Illinois head coach) Brad (Underwood) a lot of credit for adjusting to the league. ... They still give you a little bit of a rock fight, but man they are talented.”
The Nittany Lions are well-equipped to fend off the rocks Illinois may hurl their way. They’re No. 24 in the country in turnover rate at 16.2%, according to KenPom. Still, the talent gap isn’t wide between the two teams, especially if Illinois sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu plays. If he doesn’t play, Penn State will gain an edge in that regard.
Dosunmu averages 15.8 points per game to lead the team and is electric with the ball in his hands. He can score at all three levels and has proven to be a good creator for his teammates. His intensity has made him an excellent fit at Illinois defensively, but his athleticism and length are what sets him apart on that end of the floor. He uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes and poke the ball away from unsuspecting ball handlers and his athleticism allows him to stonewall guards who try to get by him.
However, Dosunmu didn’t play Saturday against Rutgers after an ugly fall against Michigan State the game prior. Without him on the court, the Illini lose their catalyst.
He’s not the only important guard that could miss the game, though. Penn State sophomore guard Myreon Jones is day-to-day with an illness. The Nittany Lions’ second-leading scorer has missed their past three games. His scoring and shooting add an extra layer to Penn State’s offense, but the Nittany Lions have still survived without him. His 14.1 points per game haven’t been easy to replace, but enough players have stepped up to fill the void and continue the Nittany Lions’ winning streak.
“I’ve learned that we have some depth,” Chambers said. “As a coach and a staff we had to make some adjustments ... But I’ve been really impressed with guys like Jamari Wheeler stepping up and even stepping his scoring up. ... Now that he’s making an open shot they become that more dangerous. Maybe that helps us when (Jones) does get back ... Everybody’s got that experience now. They’ve got the reps.”
Even when Jones comes back he won’t be back to his full workload. Chambers said after Saturday’s 77-61 win over Northwestern that the sophomore guard will be eased back into the rotation when he returns.
Dosunmu and Jones’ respective statuses could have a big impact on Tuesday’s game. If only one plays, that player’s team will have a distinct advantage and in all likelihood keep itself alive and well in the chase for a Big Ten regular season title.
This story was originally published February 17, 2020 at 5:04 PM.
