December 16, 2017
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FAIRFAX, Va. -- The Penn State men's basketball team traveled this weekend for its last nonconference road game of the year. The Nittany Lions face George Mason Sunday, December 17, at EagleBank Arena. Tipoff is at 4 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY
Penn State (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten) at George Mason (5-6, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
Sunday, December 17
4 p.m. ET
EagleBank Arena (7,860)
WATCH: Stadium
Matt Martucci (pxp) and Tim Doyle (analyst)
LISTEN: Penn State Sports Network, Steve Jones (pxp) and Dick Jerardi (analyst)
SiriusXM -- Sirius 216 | XM 195 | Internet 957
2017-18 Affiliates and free online at GoPSUsports.com/lionvision
FOLLOW: Twitter @PennStateMBB & @Coach_Chambers | Facebook | Instagram @PennStateMBB.
TICKETS:
Tickets are available for Penn State home games, including three nonconference games to close out 2017: Binghamton (Tuesday, Dec. 19), Rider (Friday, Dec. 22) and Coppin State (Saturday, Dec. 30). Visit gopsusports.com/tickets/m-baskbl-tickets.html for more information.
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
RECORD: 8-3, 1-1 Big Ten
Coach: Patrick Chambers (7th year at Penn State)
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
2017-18 Leading Scorer:
#10 Tony Carr, So., G - 20.0 ppg / 4.4 apg
2017-18 Leading Rebounder:
#24 Mike Watkins, RSo. F - 8.0 rpg
GEORGE MASON PATRIOTS
RECORD: 5-6, 0-0 Atlantic 10
Coach: Dave Paulsen (3rd year at George Mason)
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
2017-18 Leading Scorer:
#4 Otis Livingston II, Jr., G - 14.8 ppg
2017-18 Leading Rebounder:
#5 Jaire Grayer, Jr., G - 8.3 ppg
NITTANY LION PROBABLE STARTERS
# / Name / Pos. / ELG. / Pts / REB / STAT / NOTES
11 / Lamar Stevens / F / So./ 13.7 / 6.7 / 2nd ppg/rpg | Longest streak of games started among current Nittany Lions with 44
24 / Mike Watkins / F / R-So. / 12.8 / 8.0 / 37 blks | Nationally ranked for total blocks, blocks pg (3.7) & FG % (67.5)
10 / Tony Carr / G / So. / 20.0 / 5.1 / ppg 2nd in B1G | 19 pts vs. George Washington for 35th career game with 10 or more points
23 / Josh Reaves / G / Jr. / 10.6 / 4.8 / B1G steals leader | Nationally ranked for total steals & steals pg (2.4)
33 / Shep Garner / G / Sr. / 10.7 / 1.9 / 245 career 3s | Ranked 12th on NCAA active career list for 3-FG made
OPENING TIP
In the Patrick Chambers' era, the Nittany Lions are 6-0 in games following the week of fall semester final exams.
#WEARE FAMILY
The Nittany Lions practiced at University Park on Friday, then departed for the Washington, D.C., metro area where they watched Penn State alumnus Tim Frazier ('13, '14) at Capital One Arena. The team visited with Frazier following the Washington Wizards win. Frazier, who played from 2009-2014, is the program's all-time assists leader and is one of only two Nittany Lions to amass 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists.
SERIES RECORD VS. GEORGE MASON
Penn State and George Mason have met seven previous times with the Nittany Lions holding a 6-1 record overall. The Patriots won the last meeting, 85-66 on December 7, 2016, in the Bryce Jordan Center, to end a streak of six-straight contests won by Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are 2-0 against George Mason when playing in Fairfax, Va. Here's a look at all seven meetings.
| Date | Location | PS Pts | GM Pts | Result |
| 11/26/1988 | A | 58 | 64 | W |
| 12/5/1989 | H | 71 | 69 | W |
| 12/8/1997 | H | 85 | 46 | W |
| 11/28/1998 | A | 74 | 60 | W |
| 12/8/1999 | H | 67 | 54 | W |
| 3/17/2009 | H | 77 | 73 | WOT-NIT |
| 12/7/2016 | H | 66 | 85 | L |
NITTANY LIONS RANK 40TH in KENPOM.COM
Penn State is ranked 40th in the latest edition of the kenpom.com rankings (12/15/2017) and 19th in adjusted defense. Dating back to 2002 when the rankings began, the Nittany Lions reached a historical high at 32nd earlier this season. Penn State was ranked 40th in the preseason edition of the rankings.
PENN STATE "STEALING" SPOTLIGHT
Holding on to the Big Ten's top spot for team steals, Penn State has 106 -- six more than the next squad on the list, Illinois (100). Three Nittany Lions are ranked among the Big Ten's steal leaders: Josh Reaves (1st-25), Jamari Wheeler (5th-19) and Tony Carr (11th-15).
Reaves (18th) and Wheeler (81st) are both ranked among the nation's top 100 in the total steals category.
HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 60
George Washington became the fifth team in 2017-18 to be held to fewer than 60 points by the defensive-minded Nittany Lions with 54. Oral Roberts had the lowest total of the year so far at 48. Pittsburgh scored 54 while consecutive opponents Fairleigh Dickinson and Montana were both held to a total of 57 points, that total ranking as the lowest by Montana since February 27, 2016 (54).
Penn State is 6-1 in 2017-18 and was 11-0 in 2016-17 when keeping its opponents below 70 points. All six Big Ten wins last season came when opponents were kept at or below 70 with two teams held under 60 points.
FIVE SEEING DOUBLE
Five Nittany Lions are currently averaging in double-figure scoring with Tony Carr (20.0), Lamar Stevens (13.7), Mike Watkins (12.3), Shep Garner (10.6) and Josh Reaves (10.6).
PENN STATE BASKETBALL STORY
An exciting season for Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers and the Nittany Lions is underway and "The Penn State Basketball Story" brings game highlights, behind-the-scenes access and a special "ROAR" feature by "Voice of the Nittany Lions" Steve Jones. The first two episodes offer a look into the process and progress of the Penn State basketball team as it competes in the early season to the start of Big Ten Conference league play.
For a list of affiliates or to watch online, visit gopsu.info/MBBPSBSepisode2.