After beating Furman 73-68 Thursday, Penn State is 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Charleston Classic. Coach Micah Shrewsberry’s team plays its fifth game of the 2022-23 season and second of the Charleston Classic Friday. Its opponent is Virginia Tech (4-0), which won its first tournament game against Old Dominion, 75-71. Here are five things to know before the game
LUNDY CALLING
Seth Lundy didn’t get much attention in Penn State’s first three games.
The senior scored exactly 10 points in the team’s wins over Winthrop, Loyola (MD) and Butler. He scored twice that against Furman. Lundy and Jalen Pickett each had 20 points, accounting for more than half of Penn State’s scoring Thursday. Lundy shot 6-11 from the field, made three 3-pointers and added a team-high seven rebounds.
Lundy is known for his defense but can do damage on the offensive end as well. The Furman game showed that, and if Lundy can keep it up, Penn State will be better off.
BOUNCING BACK AFTER A WIN
It seems weird, but Penn State needs to bounce back to an extent.
Although it beat a good Furman team (ranked No. 62 in Ken Pom.com’s Pomery Rankings), Penn State didn’t play well in the second half. Penn State led by as much as 21 in the first 20 minutes but got outscored 39-27 in the last 20. If it gets outscored by 12 in either half against Virginia Tech, that could lead to Shrewsberry’s squad losing its first game.
THE TALE OF TECH
Virginia Tech is the first Power Five school Penn State’s faced this season, and according to KenPom, it’s by far the best team on Penn State’s schedule to this point. Tech is No. 26 in the Pomery Rankings, 36 spots ahead of Furman, Penn State’s previous top opponent. Like Penn State, Virginia Tech won its first four games. Those four wins were by a 21-point average. Sophomore guard Sean Pedulla, who averaged just 5.4 points per game for the Hokies last season, is averaging 20 this year. Senior forward Grant Basile, who transferred after four years at Wright State, is averaging 18 points. Guards Darius Maddox (12 PPG) and Hunter Cattoor (11.3) are also pitching in for the Hokies.
Basile, in particular, could be a big problem for Penn State, which is unproven on the inside.
PLAYING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP?
If Penn State beats Virginia Tech, it will be in the Charleston Classic’s championship game, scheduled for Sunday at 3:30. Penn State men’s basketball hasn’t played for many championships over the years.
Although the Charleston Classic isn’t exactly the Big Ten or NCAA tournaments, playing for a championship of any kind would be neat for Penn State.
HOW TO WATCH
Penn State and Virginia Tech will tip off at noon on ESPN2. Here’s how to watch and listen to the game.
TV Announcers: Derek Jones (pxp), Perry Clark (analyst)
RADIO: Penn State Sports Network
