Watch: Penn State Mbb Mike Rhoades head coach after loss of Ohio State
The second year head coach had a lot to say after the defeat of the Nittany Lions against Buckeyes.
Each high-level basketball team needs a glue guy. A connector. A person whose impact is often felt without appearing in the statistics sheet.
For Penn State basketball, this guy is the senior of Arco Dunn.
The 6 -feet 5 -inch goalkeeper does a lot for Nittany Lions as the first guard of the bench. To play a solid defense against the opposing guards, to obtain timely rebounds, to play with the offensive consciousness of the call of your own number or to facilitate, while doing the right reads and keeping the ball in motion.
Dunn’s figures are showing, but they are not supposed to be; It is not his role. But in his role to be a reserve guard who can make things move at both ends of the soil, he excels.
“It’s just my approach to the game. It has always been my mentality,” said Dunn when the media availability on Monday. “Even in North Carolina, I had a somewhat similar role to play defense, you know, maybe not as much on the ball.
Dunn has seen more spotlights in the last four games when its impact is seeing on The statistics sheet, not just beyond. It has an average of 11.5 points per match on the bench on an impressive 47% on 3 points and 9 for 10 on free throws.
His most recent performance has been his best so far this season: 18 points on 11 shots, 2 for 4 out of 3 points and a perfect 4-4 on free throws to accompany six rebounds and three assists. Even if it had a defeat against Minnesota, Dunn was the best player on the ground for a decent part of this match.
“I congratulated him on his approach in January. I think he is the best basketball he has played for us since he was here in Penn State,” said head coach Mike Rhoades about of Dunn. “This is what the elderly do. I am super proud of him. I just think that he continues to mature. And, you know everyone takes a big step in his career at different times, And he did it.
Aside from statistical success, which also makes you a hard -hitting, is that its room brings together the whole image. When he is on the ground, he regularly turns in defense, he provides rebounds to close the goods, and he does not let the ball stay in attack. An underestimated part of his 18-point performance? The score of the first basket after Penn State failed to get on the table the first six minutes after the start of the match.
In the book, he will only appear as two points, but put him pressure on the edge created the opportunities that Penn State needed to advance his attack. He makes games that bring together the whole group. This is what a connector means.
Dunn’s game could not arrive at a better time for Penn State. The team will need everything it can offer, then some if they hope to do the Big Ten tournament at this stage. Rhoades hopes that his level of play will continue.
“We need the rest of February by him,” said Rhoades. “I think his attack has really improved; He sees the game differently. His defense and tenacity really gave us an elevator, and we need other guys to intensify like him.
“It says a lot about a senior descending in the section and playing the best basketball in his career.”
Penn State basketball hopes to return to the road against the UCLA on Saturday. Tipoff is at 4 p.m. he.
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