Splashes, Dunks & Dimes - Big Ten Men's Basketball Previews - Indiana and Penn State

By: Connor Cagley

November 7, 2022

Connor Cagley, Big Sports Radio Basketball Writer

November 7, 2022

It's time to take a spin around the Big Ten to take a quick look across the conference to set up the upcoming 2022-23 men's basketball season. I'll take a look at the final two teams today as we get ready for college basketball games to tip off for real later today.

Indiana

Race Thompson courtesy Indiana Athletics.

Departures: Parker Stewart, Rob Phinisee, Khristian Lander, Michael Durr

Key Additions: Kaleb Banks, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Malik Reneau, Hogan Orbaugh

Coming off an underwhelming season where they finished ninth in the conference and had a 29 point first game loss in the NCAA tournament, expectations for Indiana are much higher this season. Indiana brings back their top three scorers from last year: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Xavier Johnson, and Race Thompson. This trio gives Indiana one of the most experienced lineups in the conference.

While they are far from a perfect roster, they should also be solid on the defensive end. With the loss of Parker Stewart who was Indiana’s top three point shooter last season, Indiana will need improvements from returnees Jordan Geronimo, Tamar Bates, and Miller Kopp. All have the capabilities to shoot the ball, but were less efficient last year than what was optimal – especially considering the rest of the roster.

A big reason for optimism for Indiana stems from the two top thirty recruits they signed, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau. Both are well built players that should fit right in on the defensive end of the court. But, while both can space the floor as mid-range shooters, neither have shown consistency from behind the arc. If either can show progress in this area, it will go a long way toward the spacing concerns that persist with this roster.

Ceiling: First in conference

Floor: Fifth in conference

Penn State

Key Departures: Sam Sessoms, John Harrar

Other Departures: Jaheam Cornwall, Jalanni White, Jevonnie Scott, Irekefe Oweh

Key Additions: Andrew Funk, Camren Wynter, Kebba Njie

Other Additions: Jameel Brown, Demetrius Lilley, Evan Mahaffey, Kanye Clary

Penn State did not have a great season last year under first year coach Micah Shrewsberry. They finished tied for tenth place in the conference with a 7 and 13 record. It was a big step up for the program considering the talent he was left with. With returning senior Jalen Pickett leading the charge, Penn State will be an even tougher out for the traditional powers in the conference this season.

Alongside Pickett will be 6’6” senior Seth Lundy and 6’4” senior Miles Dread as players who are likely to make the starting lineup. Added to those three will be transfers Camren Wynter from Drexel and Andrew Funk out of Bucknell. Both will be making a large jump in competition but both shoot very well from deep so they should be suitable role players for the Nittany Lions.

The biggest questions for Penn State will be replacing John Harrar. Manning the middle is a tough thing to do, but it seems the most likely replacement will be true freshman Kebba Njie. Njie is less heralded than other players coming into the conference. At 6’10” and almost 240 pounds, he has the physical profile to match up with many other centers in the conference. He can still add some polish to his game, but he’s a hard working player who hustles up and down the court and will always fight to get in to proper position. If you weren’t aware of him beforehand, you are aware of him now. He’s a darkhorse pick for conference freshman of the year.

Ceiling: Eighth in conference

Floor: Twelfth in conference