Virginia Tech's defense, Penn State's balanced offense to clash

Field Level Media|published: Thu 14th November, 12:57 2024

NCAA Basketball: St. Francis (PA) at Penn State

Nov 12, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard/forward Puff Johnson (5) reaches for the rebound during the first half against the Saint Francis Red Flash at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Saint Francis 92-62. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said his team's defense took "a quantum leap forward" in Monday's 58-52 victory over Winthrop.

Given who's next on the Hokies' schedule, that leap came just in time.

Virginia Tech (3-0) will try to slow down Penn State's high-powered offense on Friday when the teams meet at the Hall of Fame Series in Baltimore.

The Hokies clamped down against the Eagles following what Young called a "next to deplorable" defensive effort in Friday's 93-74 win over South Carolina Upstate. Virginia Tech held Winthrop to 34.5 percent shooting after letting the Spartans shoot 50.9 percent from the floor.

"We weren't very connected (on Friday) and I thought the complete flip of that was (Monday)," Young said.

Young's squad will be tested by the Nittany Lions (3-0), who have scored at least 90 points in each of their first three games for the first time since the 1995-96 season. Penn State put up 108 and 103 points in wins over Binghamton and UMBC, respectively, before hanging 92 on visiting St. Francis in a 30-point win Tuesday.

Puff Johnson scored a career-high 20 points to pace the Nittany Lions in Tuesday's victory, but Penn State's offense has been all about balance. The Nittany Lions have had a different top scorer in each game, and Northern Illinois transfer Yanic Konan Niederhauser (15 points per game) leads a cast of five players who average double figures.

Penn State coach Mike Rhoades doesn't have a clear go-to scorer, but he seems just fine with how his offense is running.

"When the ball is hot and everybody's getting a piece of it, I think that creates confidence," Rhoades said. " ... When guys share the ball and you go from good shots to great shots, the rim gets bigger."

Like the Nittany Lions, the Hokies have multiple scoring threats. Toibu Lawal (14.3 points per game) leads the pack, while Mylyjael Poteat (12.7), Jaden Schutt (12.0) and Jaydon Young (11.0) round out Virginia Tech's double-digit scorers.

Lawal also is the Hokies' top rebounder (8.7 per game). The VCU transfer paired 10 points with 10 boards in Monday's win.

--Field Level Media