Two Penn State basketball stars give their take on Micah Shrewsberry

DES MOINES, IA — Ahead of Penn State’s massive Round of 32 matchup against the 2-seed Texas Longhorns, the Nittany Lions’ head coach and some of his team had the chance to speak with the media. There, two Penn State basketball stars explained what makes head coach Micah Shrewsberry so special for the Nittany Lions.

Micah Shrewsberry has fixed Nittany Lion hoops

As all Penn State basketball fans know by now, the Nittany Lions are on an unprecedented run. The last time Penn State made it this far in the NCAA tournament was over two decades ago in 2001 — since then, the program has only been back in the tournament once: 2011. After running the 7-seed Texas A&M Aggies out of the gym last Thursday, the Penn State Nittany Lions are now gearing up for a huge bout with the 2-seed Texas Longhorns — a win would send Penn State basketball for the Sweet 16 for the first time in decades.

Second-year head coach Micah Shrewsberry is the talk of the town in State College right now. In just two seasons as head coach, Shrewsberry has accomplished more with Penn State basketball than anyone has in over 20 years — this season alone, Shrewsberry has led his Nittany Lions to 23 wins (so far), a Big Ten title game, and an NCAA tournament win. The best part? Penn State basketball isn’t done just yet. But what makes Penn State’s head coach so special to his players and the program itself? Two of the Nittany Lions’ star veterans had a lot to say about it.

Two Penn State basketball stars break down what makes their ahead coach so special

When asked about how Micah Shrewsberry has grown as a head coach, here is what star sharpshooter Andrew Funk had to say on Friday:

“He’s been incredible,” Funk said of his head coach ahead of Penn State’s matchup with Texas. “[Penn State doesn’t] get to this point without him; and to be honest … he’s been lights out from day one. Even when he was recruiting me I kind of saw, and was amazed, at how good of a coach he was. Just Xs and Os and even just how well he’s been able to develop relationships.

“Like I said, we’re not in the place that we are without him — I am very grateful to have him leading us, leading our program. And obviously [he has been] a huge part of our success.”

Fellow veteran leader Myles Dread followed up Funk’s praise with some of his own. “I would completely agree with Andrew [Funk],” Dread said. “I’d also say that he is just … learning our team, learning who to talk to in certain ways, and how to guys individually is definitely one of his biggest strengths right now, and it’s definitely paid dividends throughout the rest of the season.”

Everyone around the Penn State basketball program — from the coaches, to the players, to the fans, and even the admin — know that Micah Shrewsberry is the perfect head coach for the Nittany Lions. Now, athletic director Pat Kraft needs to do everything in the university’s power to keep Shrewsberry in town for the long run.

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