Fifth-year senior Puff Johnson will miss his fifth game this season against Ohio State (6:30 p.m. EST, FS1), per Penn State Athletics Strategic Communications.
Johnson — who was averaging a career-high 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds — exited the first half of a game against then-No. 12 Michigan State on Jan. 15 with a right-hand injury. While his production in the box score has been missed, head coach Mike Rhoades made note of another aspect of Johnson’s game that has left a void on the team.
JOHNSON’S VOCAL LEADERSHIP
“When you take Puff’s voice out of some things, especially the defensive end, you completely notice it from the second he’s been out,” Rhoades said Wednesday. “I do think some of the older guys … their voices have been louder … and that’s what we need. We need that when someone goes down, someone has got to step up.”
Nick Kern Jr. — who has started in Johnson’s place — has averaged 16.4 points, two assists and 7.2 rebounds in five games as a starter this season. D’Marco Dunn (10.5 points on 50% shooting) has also improved his overall numbers since Johnson has been out.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Rhoades was asked Wednesday about Kern’s improvements specifically and he said, “Well, I think the way we’re playing allows him more space on the court, more freedom to move around the court. You know, I just think he’s older, been through the battles before, an older vet type of mentality, and more confident as a basketball player, especially on the offensive end.”
Penn State returns to Rec Hall Thursday night for the fifth time since moving to the Bryce Jordan Center in 1996. The last time the Nittany Lions played in their former home, they beat No. 12 Illinois 90-89. PSU also enters Thursday’s bout with Ohio State with three wins out of the last four meetings between the two programs.
