It was far from a great night for Penn State. The team got dismantled 92-61 by Michigan State Thursday in East Lansing.
The loss brought Penn State to .500 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten. It also marked the largest loss thus far for coach Mike Rhoades’ team despite being one of only two games where every player was available.
Penn State gets back in action against Michigan Sunday afternoon at the Palestra in Philadelphia
More from Thursday’s game:
WHAT’S COLDER THAN BEING COLD?
Penn State from the field.
PSU was a frigid 32.3 percent from the field against Michigan State, including a 3-for-29 performance from beyond the arc.
Under Tom Izzo, Michigan State is known for their rigid defense, but on this night the best defense on the floor was the Penn State offense.
Only two PSU players managed double figures with Kanye Clary dropping 21 and Nick Kern scoring 10 with seven coming in the first half.
GIVING IT AWAY
The first half was akin to a game of hot potato for Penn State. It turned the ball over an astounding 14 times. To Michigan State’s credit, it turned those turnovers into 20 points and spent most of the game comfortably in cruise control.
PSU cleaned the turnovers up rather nicely in the second half with only three. The ability to grow and overcome as abysmal of a first half as they had in the turnover department is a good thing moving forward, but this is the type of humbling loss that can change a season for the good or the poor.
THE LONE BRIGHT SPOT
There weren’t many positive moments for Rhoades and company against Michigan State, but Clary scoring 21 is definitely one of them. He’s having a strong sophomore campaign and is averaging 18.2 points per game.
PSU needs a go-to guy as the conference campaign is well underway and Clary seems to be accepting that role. He will definitely need some help from his supporting cast if for Penn State to recreate last year’s magic.
