While the puns about their surnames write themselves, I thought I might try to write something about the numbers behind the new guys, Wynter and Funk. See if I can figure out how the newest two members of the Nittany Lions will factor into the team in the ‘22/23 season.
Standout Stats (‘21/22 season):
240 3-point attempts (tied for 32nd most nationally, 1st in Patriot League)
1,172 minutes played (2nd in Patriot League)
18.9% Assist Rate & 10.0% Turnover Rate (12th and 5th best in Patriot League, respectively)
Shot Distribution (‘21/22 Season):
Heat Map (‘21/22):
Lewisburg to State College isn’t a huge change in scenery, but the significantly slower pace of play and lower shot volume that awaits Funk in Happy Valley might prove a bigger adjustment.
I can’t picture a lot of lineups next season where Funk is the “off-guard” alongside Pickett. I think Wynter is much more likely to be the main guy used in that role, and Funk will be used more in rotation with Dread and Lundy at the wing. But Dread and Lundy are two of the team’s best defenders, so taking time away from either of them will likely be a function of how well Funk is able to defend in the Big Ten, along with how well Lundy and Dread are scoring the ball on any given night.
I think Evan Mahaffey and Jameel Brown are going to be a factor for playing time as freshmen in this position as well, which makes the question of minutes even harder to figure out 7 months before the season starts. If there’s one thing that sets Funk apart from the other guys vying for minutes at the wing, it would seem to be his passing and the way he took care of the ball last season. Shrewsberry said as much in the official statement about Funk’s transfer:
While Andrew is well-known for his shooting, we noticed how good of a passer he is as well when we studied his film. His passing and ability to create for others is what separates him from most players
On the other hand, we saw Jaheam Cornwall come in last season with similarly impressive assists and turnover rates (in addition to stellar 3-point shooting), and none of those numbers held up whatsoever in his role here. Projecting the way most of these transfers will play out is nearly impossible. But the off-season is long and it’s worth a shot. Moving on…
Standout Stats (‘21/22 season):
28.1% Usage Rate (2nd in Colonial)
28.6% Assist Rate (1st in Patriot League, 577 career assists is 6th in Colonial history)
15.3% Defensive Rebound Rate (23rd in Colonial)
Shot Distribution (‘21/22):
Heat Map (‘21/22):
If you had to pick out the one big thing that both Wynter and Funk have in common stat-wise, it would be their assist numbers. I think Shrewsberry and his staff were clearly searching this year’s portal for players who are proven and willing passers. Coach Shrews talked a bunch last year in his press conferences about the ball sticking too often on offense, and the assist numbers for the team this past season demonstrate the struggles to share the ball at times.
So while Wynter is another guard with high-usage numbers who may have to see those numbers decrease next season, he’s going to fit into Shrewsberry’s offense really well because of his ability and desire to get into the paint and either score it or find open teammates.
In theory, Wynter steps right into Sessoms’ role last year as the 2nd ball-handler on the court most of the game. The shot selection and the ability to break down a defense with the dribble (to get to the basket or kick out to shooters) are pretty similar skill sets between Sam and Cam, but I do think Wynter’s size makes him a more capable defender and his willingness to rebound as a 6’2” guard sets him apart as well.
I’m going to guess that Wynter likely starts alongside Pickett, but could see him being used off the bench like Sessoms as well. Much of it depends on what the coaches do with Dallion Johnson and how much Jameel Brown and Kanye Clary can contribute next year. These would be the 5 guys getting the majority of minutes in the backcourt, with Pickett likely taking up nearly 40 of those 80 minutes a night just by himself, and Brown likely to get minutes at the Wing positions as I mentioned before.
So if Wynter is just a bigger version of Sessoms, with height being the main thing that seemed to occasionally limit Sessoms at this level, is it safe to assume Wynter is an overall upgrade for Penn State? I would go with: Potentially.
The fit is really good on paper. Wynter is not one of those guys who can only contribute if 3-point shots are falling, he impacts the game in many ways. On the other hand, he’s also looked like a very capable 3-point shooter for 3 out of his 4 seasons in D1, with last year being the exception. So the ceiling here is pretty high for Wynter, and the floor is not so low. That’s a good spot to be in with an incoming player.