2017–18 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team American college basketball season
The 2017–18 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They are led by head coach Pat Chambers, in his seventh season with the team, and played their home games at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania as members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 26–13, 9–9 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for sixth place. In the Big Ten tournament, they defeated Northwestern and Ohio State before losing to Purdue in the semifinals. They received a bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Temple, Notre Dame, Marquette, and Mississippi State to advance to the NIT championship where they defeated Utah to become NIT champions.
Previous season
The Nittany Lions finished the 2016–17 season 15–18, 6–12 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for 12th place. As the No. 13 seed in the Big Ten tournament, they beat Nebraska in the first round[1] before losing to Michigan State in the second round.[2][3]
Offseason
Departures
2017 recruiting class
College recruiting information
Name
|
Hometown
|
High school / college
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Commit date
|
Jamari Wheeler PG
|
Live Oak, FL
|
The Rock School
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
|
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
|
Taylor Nussbaum PG
|
South Salem, NY
|
Cheshire Academy
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
N/A
|
|
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
|
Trent Buttrick PF
|
Naples, FL
|
Community School of Naples
|
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
|
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
|
John Harrar PF
|
Wallingford, PA
|
Strath Haven High School
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
|
240 lb (110 kg)
|
|
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
|
Overall recruiting rankings:
|
- Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
- In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
2018 recruiting class
College recruiting information (2018)
|
Name
|
Hometown
|
High school / college
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Commit date
|
Myles Dread CG
|
Burtonsville, MD
|
Gonzaga College High School
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
205 lb (93 kg)
|
Jul 10, 2016
|
Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
|
Rasir Bolton PG
|
Virginia Beach, VA
|
Huntington Prep
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
Jul 23, 2017
|
Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
|
Daniil Kasatkin PG
|
Ivanovo, Russia
|
Mountain Mission
|
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
Nov 21, 2017
|
Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A
|
Myreon Jones CG
|
Birmingham, AL
|
Lincoln Academy
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
May 2, 2018
|
Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A
|
Overall recruiting rankings:
|
- Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
- In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
Personnel
Roster
2017–18 Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team
|
Players |
Coaches
|
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
Previous school |
Hometown
|
F
|
1
|
Deividas Zemgulis
|
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
220 lb (100 kg)
|
Jr |
St. Mary Ryken
|
Kaunas, Lithuania
|
F
|
3
|
Satchel Pierce
|
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
266 lb (121 kg)
|
RS Jr |
The Kiski School Virginia Tech
|
Barberton, OH
|
G
|
4
|
Nazeer Bostick
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
203 lb (92 kg)
|
So |
Roman Catholic
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
G
|
5
|
Jamari Wheeler
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
170 lb (77 kg)
|
Fr |
Rock School
|
Gainesville, FL
|
G
|
10
|
Tony Carr
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
204 lb (93 kg)
|
So |
Roman Catholic
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
F
|
11
|
Lamar Stevens
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
226 lb (103 kg)
|
So |
Roman Catholic
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
F
|
21
|
John Harrar
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
243 lb (110 kg)
|
Fr |
Strath Haven
|
Atlanta, GA
|
F
|
22
|
Grant Hazle (W)
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
192 lb (87 kg)
|
So |
Westbury Christian
|
Kingwood, TX
|
G
|
23
|
Josh Reaves
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
210 lb (95 kg)
|
Jr |
Oak Hill Academy
|
Fairfax, VA
|
F
|
24
|
Mike Watkins
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
254 lb (115 kg)
|
RS So |
Phelps School
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
G
|
33
|
Shep Garner
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
196 lb (89 kg)
|
Sr |
Roman Catholic HS
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
F
|
35
|
Trent Buttrick
|
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
234 lb (106 kg)
|
Fr |
Community School of Naples (Fla.)
|
Bloomsburg, PA
|
F
|
44
|
Julian Moore
|
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
248 lb (112 kg)
|
RS Sr |
Germantown Acad
|
Fort Washington, PA
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- (W) Walk-on
Roster
|
Coaching staff
Schedule and results
The 2018 Big Ten tournament was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[4] Due to the Big East's use of that venue for their conference tournament, the Big Ten tournament took place one week earlier than usual, ending the week before Selection Sunday.[5]
Date time, TV
|
Rank#
|
Opponent#
|
Result
|
Record
|
High points
|
High rebounds
|
High assists
|
Site (attendance) city, state
|
Bahamas exhibition trip
|
Aug 6, 2017* 2:00 pm
|
|
vs. New Providence Basketball Association All-Stars Summer of Thunder Tour
|
W 109–105 OT
|
|
26 – Carr |
12 – Pierce |
7 – Carr
|
Sir Kendal Isaac's National Gymnasium Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre Nassau, Bahamas
|
Aug 8, 2017* 6:00 pm
|
|
vs. Providence Storm Summer of Thunder Tour
|
W 112–63
|
|
28 – Garner |
10 – Pierce |
3 – 3 tied
|
Sir Kendal Isaac's National Gymnasium Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre Nassau, Bahamas
|
Aug 9, 2017* 2:00 pm
|
|
vs. Bahamas All-Stars Summer of Thunder Tour – Cancelled
|
|
Sir Kendal Isaac's National Gymnasium Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre Nassau, Bahamas
|
Exhibition
|
Nov 4, 2017* 1:00 pm
|
|
at Lafayette OAA hurricane relief benefit
|
W 102–80
|
–
|
23 – Carr |
6 – Reaves |
2 – 5 tied
|
Kirby Sports Center Easton, PA
|
Nov 5, 2017* 12:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Bloomsburg
|
W 84–67
|
–
|
17 – Garner |
8 – Stevens |
7 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (3,826) University Park, PA
|
Regular season
|
Nov 10, 2017* 4:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Campbell
|
W 86–75
|
1–0
|
33 – Carr |
9 – Carr |
7 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA
|
Nov 12, 2017* 5:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Fairleigh Dickinson
|
W 81–57
|
2–0
|
20 – Carr |
9 – Reaves |
7 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (5,802) University Park, PA
|
Nov 15, 2017* 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Montana Legends Classic campus site game
|
W 70–57
|
3–0
|
25 – Stevens |
7 – Stevens |
3 – Garner
|
Bryce Jordan Center (5,854) University Park, PA
|
Nov 17, 2017* 7:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Columbia
|
W 79–65
|
4–0
|
26 – Garner |
14 – Watkins |
4 – Wheeler
|
Bryce Jordan Center (6,529) University Park, PA
|
Nov 20, 2017* 9:30 pm, ESPN3
|
|
vs. Pittsburgh Legends Classic semifinals
|
W 85–54
|
5–0
|
16 – Carr |
8 – Stevens |
5 – Carr
|
Barclays Center (5,904) Brooklyn, NY
|
Nov 21, 2017* 6:00 pm, ESPN2
|
|
vs. No. 16 Texas A&M Legends Classic championship
|
L 87–98
|
5–1
|
31 – Carr |
7 – Stevens |
4 – Tied
|
Barclays Center (5,081) Brooklyn, NY
|
Nov 24, 2017* 3:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Oral Roberts Legends Classic campus site game
|
W 86–48
|
6–1
|
14 – Wheeler/Bostick |
7 – Wheeler |
5 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,463) University Park, PA
|
Nov 29, 2017* 7:00 pm, ESPNU
|
|
at NC State ACC–Big Ten Challenge
|
L 78–85
|
6–2
|
29 – Carr |
14 – Watkins |
5 – Reaves
|
PNC Arena (15,270) Raleigh, NC
|
Dec 2, 2017 5:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at Iowa
|
W 77–73
|
7–2 (1–0)
|
22 – Stevens |
7 – Watkins |
9 – Carr
|
Carver–Hawkeye Arena (12,805) Iowa City, IA
|
Dec 4, 2017 7:00 pm, ESPN2
|
|
Wisconsin
|
L 63–64
|
7–3 (1–1)
|
22 – Watkins |
9 – Carr |
5 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (6,730) University Park, PA
|
Dec 9, 2017* 4:00 pm, BTN
|
|
George Washington
|
W 74–54
|
8–3
|
19 – Carr |
12 – Watkins |
4 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (6,652) University Park, PA
|
Dec 17, 2017* 4:00 pm, Stadium
|
|
at George Mason
|
W 72–54
|
9–3
|
23 – Stevens |
12 – Tied |
4 – Reaves
|
EagleBank Arena (5,439) Fairfax, VA
|
Dec 19, 2017* 7:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Binghamton
|
W 80–65
|
10–3
|
16 – Stevens |
11 – Watkins |
9 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,009) University Park, PA
|
Dec 22, 2017* 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Rider
|
L 70–71
|
10–4
|
18 – Garner |
13 – Reaves |
8 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,217) University Park, PA
|
Dec 30, 2017* 1:00 pm, BTN+
|
|
Coppin State
|
W 88–43
|
11–4
|
21 – Carr |
7 – Wheeler |
7 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,512) University Park, PA
|
Jan 2, 2018 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at Maryland
|
L 69–75
|
11–5 (1–2)
|
17 – Watkins |
17 – Watkins |
8 – Carr
|
Xfinity Center (14,374) College Park, MD
|
Jan 5, 2018 8:00 pm, FS1
|
|
Northwestern
|
W 78–63
|
12–5 (2–2)
|
30 – Stevens |
17 – Watkins |
5 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,682) University Park, PA
|
Jan 9, 2018 6:30 pm, BTN
|
|
at Indiana
|
L 70–74
|
12–6 (2–3)
|
28 – Carr |
12 – Watkins |
3 – Carr
|
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) Bloomington, IN
|
Jan 12, 2018 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Nebraska
|
W 76–74 OT
|
13–6 (3–3)
|
26 – Stevens |
15 – Watkins |
8 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (6,821) University Park, PA
|
Jan 15, 2018 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Minnesota
|
L 84–95 OT
|
13–7 (3–4)
|
33 – Carr |
11 – Watkins |
3 – Tied
|
Bryce Jordan Center (6,361) University Park, PA
|
Jan 20, 2018 2:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at Northwestern
|
L 61–70
|
13–8 (3–5)
|
22 – Garner |
8 – Watkins |
6 – Carr
|
Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL
|
Jan 25, 2018 8:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at No. 13 Ohio State
|
W 82–79
|
14–8 (4–5)
|
28 – Carr |
6 – Stevens |
5 – Carr
|
Value City Arena (13,464) Columbus, OH
|
Jan 27, 2018 4:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Rutgers
|
W 60–43
|
15–8 (5–5)
|
16 – Carr |
19 – Watkins |
4 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (13,677) University Park, PA
|
Jan 31, 2018 6:30 pm, BTN
|
|
at No. 5 Michigan State
|
L 68–76
|
15–9 (5–6)
|
28 – Carr |
7 – Reaves |
7 – Carr
|
Breslin Center (14,797) East Lansing, MI
|
Feb 3, 2018 6:00 pm, BTN
|
|
Iowa
|
W 82-58
|
16–9 (6–6)
|
19 – Watkins |
10 – Watkins |
5 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (10,394) University Park, PA
|
Feb 7, 2018 6:30 pm, BTN
|
|
Maryland
|
W 74–70
|
17–9 (7–6)
|
25 – Stevens |
9 – Reaves |
6 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (8,435) University Park, PA
|
Feb 11, 2018 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at Illinois
|
W 74–52
|
18–9 (8–6)
|
16 – Garner |
6 – 2 tied |
6 – Carr
|
State Farm Center (12,840) Champaign, IL
|
Feb 15, 2018 8:00 pm, BTN
|
|
No. 8 Ohio State
|
W 79–56
|
19–9 (9–6)
|
30 – Carr |
10 – Watkins |
6 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (10,981) University Park, PA
|
Feb 18, 2018 8:00 pm, BTN
|
|
at No. 6 Purdue
|
L 73–76
|
19–10 (9–7)
|
19 – Carr |
7 – Reaves |
5 – 2 tied
|
Mackey Arena (14,804) West Lafayette, IN
|
Feb 21, 2018 7:00 pm, BTN
|
|
No. 17 Michigan
|
L 63–72
|
19–11 (9–8)
|
21 – Carr |
8 – Stevens |
6 – Carr
|
Bryce Jordan Center (13,586) University Park, PA
|
Feb 25, 2018 5:15 pm, BTN
|
|
at Nebraska
|
L 64–76
|
19–12 (9–9)
|
27 – Carr |
7 – Reaves/Stevens |
3 – Reaves
|
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,991) Lincoln, NE
|
Big Ten tournament
|
Mar 1, 2018 6:30 pm, BTN
|
(7)
|
vs. (10) Northwestern Second Round
|
W 65–57
|
20–12
|
25 – Carr |
8 – Reaves |
4 – Carr
|
Madison Square Garden (13,996) New York City, NY
|
Mar 2, 2018 6:30 pm, BTN
|
(7)
|
vs. (2) No. 13 Ohio State Quarterfinals
|
W 69–68
|
21–12
|
25 – Carr |
7 – Stevens |
5 – Carr
|
Madison Square Garden (14,530) New York City, NY
|
Mar 3, 2018 4:30 pm, CBS
|
(7)
|
vs. (3) No. 8 Purdue Semifinals
|
L 70–78
|
21–13
|
33 – Garner |
9 – Carr |
4 – Carr
|
Madison Square Garden (19,812) New York City, NY
|
NIT
|
Mar 14, 2018* 8:00 pm, ESPNU
|
(4)
|
(5) Temple First Round – Notre Dame Bracket
|
W 63–57
|
22–13
|
19 – Reaves |
11 – Reaves |
5 – Reaves
|
Bryce Jordan Center (4,528) University Park, PA
|
Mar 17, 2018* 12:00 pm, ESPN
|
(4)
|
at (1) Notre Dame Second Round – Notre Dame Bracket
|
W 73–63
|
23–13
|
24 – Carr |
9 – Reaves |
4 – Carr
|
Edmund P. Joyce Center (4,023) Notre Dame, IN
|
Mar 20, 2018* 7:00 pm, ESPN
|
(4)
|
at (2) Marquette Quarterfinals – Notre Dame Bracket
|
W 85–80
|
24–13
|
30 – Stevens |
9 – Harrar |
7 – Carr
|
Al McGuire Center (3,670) Milwaukee, WI
|
Mar 27, 2018* 7:00 pm, ESPN
|
(4)
|
vs. (4) Mississippi State Semifinals
|
W 75–60
|
25–13
|
21 – Carr |
8 – Stevens |
6 – Stevens
|
Madison Square Garden (7,865) New York City, NY
|
Mar 29, 2018* 7:00 pm, ESPN
|
(4)
|
vs. (2) Utah Championship
|
W 82–66
|
26–13
|
28 – Stevens |
12 – Harrar |
14 – Carr
|
Madison Square Garden (11,175) New York City, NY
|
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Eastern Time.
|
References
|
---|
Venues | |
---|
Culture & lore | |
---|
People | |
---|
Seasons | |
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NCAA Final Four appearance in italics |
|