Morning Power Bar: Penn State makes moves

Recruiting news was dry this week for Big Ten basketball programs, but who could blame the coaching staffs? It is “rivalry week” and teams are working to get wins with their current rosters. However, Penn State took advantage of the quite week, offering a scholarship and receiving a commitment from a recruit.

Check out the few moves that were made in the past seven days.

-Matta extends offer out to Weems

Ohio State was the only other team to make a move this week as the Buckeyes offered Romeo Weems last Saturday.

Weems, a high school sophomore out of New Haven, Michigan and is ranked the No. 19 player in the class of 2019, by ESPN. Coming from only an hour and 11 minutes from the University of Michigan’s campus, the Buckeyes will have some competition with their rival when it comes to landing Weems.

The 6-foot-5 small forward plays above the rim and is a versatile player when the ball is in his hands. Weems seems to do the most damage when he brings smaller defenders in the post to use his size to his advantage.

When it comes to fitting in with the Buckeyes roster, head coach Thad Matta could use the athleticism of Weems to fit the up-tempo style that the team likes to play.

By the time the Michigan product would suit up in a scarlet and gray uniform, OSU may have a different look in its lineup, but would still likely have the lengthy forward, Derek Funderburk, and stretch-5 Micah Potter.

-Penn State received commitment from Buttrick

After freshman Joe Hampton left the PSU program before the start of the season, the Nittany Lions had a scholarship opening, but unfortunately only one. And now, that slot is filled.

Naples’ (Florida) senior Trent Buttrick committed to the Penn State men’s basketball program on Wednesday, which will really help the Nittany Lions in the post.

Listed as a 6-foot-8 power forward, Buttrick is originally from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania which may have helped Penn State significantly when recruiting him.

Buttrick plays with the modern 4-man style, aggressively attacking the glass, but also extending out to the 3-point arc to knock down a jumper here and there. Let’s not forget that he has decent handles for a big man too.

In his senior season so far, Buttrick is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per contest. Not to mention two blocks and two steals per game as well.

Penn State has slowly begun to improve it's recruiting in men’s basketball, and getting a commitment from Buttrick is a clear example of that.

-Nittany Lions offer Ohio sophomore

Lastly, Penn State offered a scholarship to Brison Waller, a sophomore out of Garfield Heights in Cleveland, Ohio.

Waller is a 6-foot-8 small forward that has Miami (OH) and Cleveland State on his list as well. As Waller’s high school career progresses, don’t expect Penn State to be the only Big Ten school to be offering him a scholarship.

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Check back next week for more Big Ten recruiting news.