Slow starts and defensive breakdowns plague Penn State. Coach Mike Rhoades highlights struggles guarding shooters and switching screens after Nebraska loss.
Penn State could't avoid another slow start in a Big Ten contest, and it cost them the ballgame against No. 9 Nebraska on Saturday.
The Cornhuskers took a 38-20 lead into halftime. Penn State played better in the second half, but lost 87-74 to Nebraska in front of 15,128 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
During his postgame news conference, PSU head coach Mike Rhoades praised Nebraska, especially forward Pryce Sandfort, who scored 33 points and made eight three-point baskets.
"Awesome environment, and Nebraska does it right," Rhoades said, via Hail Varsity. "Coach Fred Hoiberg has a great team this year and we learned firsthand how good they are. Well, you guys pass the ball really well and run good stuff.
So, because there's such great movement, you might help for a second, and there (Sandfort) is. He's going off something. Or, you know, you guys have some really good passers that get him shots, and he doesn't need much time to get him off.
"I think he does a great job moving without the ball."
The loss dropped Penn State to 11-17 on the season. It was the third loss in a row for the Nittany Lions.
Rhoades noted his defense is continuing to struggle to guard three-point shooters and switch out of screens.
"I always tell our guys, when you play against offenses that have multiple actions, it requires multiple efforts and dealing with screens, and that's hard," Rhoades said. "And you know that that happened today. We ran in some screens.
"We didn't have quick enough switch-outs. And you know we’ve had trouble guarding good three-point shooters all year long. And you saw that today. He's a very good player, and he's in the perfect system for his game."
PSU has a breather this week to work on its defense. The Nittany Lions will next host a 19-8 Iowa program on Saturday.
Rhoades noted that his team is still young, which is why they're struggling with turnovers and the start of games. Before the end of the season, it will be key for the PSU roster to gain some confidence before the summer.