Micah Shrewsberry says Steve Pikiell 'coached circles around me'

Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry said Rutgers’ Steve Pikiell out-coached him in the Nittany Lions heartbreaking loss Sunday.

Rutgers erased a 19-point deficit in the second half to steal an important Big Ten game on the road. Shrewsberry could only tip his cap to Pikiell and the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers came in and got the win to boost its NCAA Tournament resume while Penn State’s resume took a hit.

“I thought Steve Pikiell completely out-coached me and the he coached circles around me tonight,” Shrewsberry said postgame. “We got out-coached and I got to put our guys in better positions to be successful. We want to win a game like this. So it’s disappointing that we lose it right, because we had a 19 point lead in the second half. But we’re back to work tomorrow, get back to practice, clean up what we need to clean up and get ready for our next game.”

Jalen Pickett had 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists but was held scoreless in the second half. Shrewsberry offered his explanation.

“They usually sent two at the ball a lot of times,” Shrewsberry said. “Really doubled him, trying to get the ball out of his hands and forced other guys to try and beat them. We had opportunities, but Seth (Lundy) goes 0-11 from three, (Andrew) Funk) goes 1-7, Myles (Dread) goes 0-1. Those are three of your better shooters right there that go 1-19. (Rutgers was) shooting open shots, so hats off to them. We need to adjust and go to something different. But now like I said, I gotta go watch (the film).”

Camren Wynter was the leading scorer for Penn State. He finished the contest with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.

On the Rutgers end of things, freshman Derek Simpson broke out with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists. Cam Spencer added 13 points, six rebounds and one assist.

Penn State fell to 17-12 on the season and two games behind the Scarlet Knights in the Big Ten standings. The Nittany Lions are currently No. 10.

Shrewsberry said Pikiell out coached him in the game and it could very well be a learning experience for the second-year coach.

Penn State is not out of it yet. A good run in the conference tournament could do enough to sneak them into the field of 68.

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Penn State is back at it Wednesday night on the road at Northwestern at 9:00 p.m. ET.