Penn State, UMBC meet in clash between veteran-laden squads

Field Level Media|published: Thu 7th November, 18:28 2024

NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament First Round-Penn State vs Michigan

Mar 13, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) celebrates his basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Penn State and UMBC each might have a luxury that other teams around the country don't as they prepare for Friday's game in University Park, Pa.

In an age of rapid roster turnover, each team has plenty of continuity and returning experience.

After having an entirely new team going into last year, Penn State has a slew of quality returning players, including fifth-year guard Ace Baldwin Jr., the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Forward Zach Hicks, guard/forward Puff Johnson and guard Nick Kern Jr. are also notable veterans.

The Nittany Lions (1-0) are coming off a 108-66 win over Binghamton in their season opener on Monday, which tied the fourth-most points Penn State has scored in a game in program history.

Hicks tallied 22 points, while Baldwin supplied 15 points and his typical tenacious defense.

"I thought we did a better job than we did last year of getting clean rebounds, clean outlets and pitching it up the court, which has been an emphasis this offseason," Nittany Lions head coach Mike Rhoades said. "We have better players. We have better guys who can dribble at a higher speed and make plays, not just Ace. So that helps."

UMBC (1-0) enters its first road game following its season-opening, 95-66 triumph over Penn State-York on Monday in Baltimore.

The Retrievers are coached by Jim Ferry, who was Penn State's interim coach during the 2020-21 season and now is in his fourth year with UMBC.

Similar to the Nittany Lions, the Retrievers have great continuity with 10 players returning from last year. UMBC picked to finish fifth in the America East preseason poll.

"We are so far ahead of where we were last year at this point, just with concepts, foundation and culture," Ferry said. "It makes such a huge difference."

UMBC is led by senior guard Marcus Banks Jr., who was selected to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team.

Banks scored 27 points on Monday against Penn State-York, hitting seven shots from 3-point range.

--Field Level Media

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