Penn State's Jalen Pickett Being 'Treated Unfairly,' His Coach Says

Micah Shrewsberry wants to know why one of the nation's best players has shot one free throw in four games.

Penn State's Jalen Pickett, one of the Big Ten's most dramatic ball handlers and paint players, has shot one free throw in four games. The all-Big Ten guard, a midseason nominee for the Naismith Award, shoots free throws at rates unseen for players of his caliber.

And his coach has seen enough.

"That kid's one of the best players in our league, and he's being treated unfairly," Penn State coach Micah Shrewsberry said.

The Lions on Saturday lost their fourth straight game, a 74-68 Big Ten result at Maryland that placed a grim cap on their NCAA Tournament ceiling. Penn State (14-11, 5-9) needs a big win streak over its final six regular-season games to bring a tournament bid back to life.

Pickett is the lifeblood of any Penn State run. The guard entered Saturday's game as the nation's only player to average 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. He finished with 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds against the Terps.

And that one free-throw attempt.

Astonishingly, considering how physically he plays the game, Pickett hasn't even attempted 60 free throws this season. He is 45 for 58 from the line and went three consecutive games (six overall) without attempting one free throw, Pickett hasn't attempted more than seven free throws in any game this season.

Meanwhile, according to the NCAA, 322 players have made more free throws than Pickett has attempted this season. Shrewsberry, ever ready to defend his players, is frustrated that the officiating of Pickett hasn't changed.

"He's a first-team all-American, he's a first-team all-league dude, and he's not getting the same treatment," Shrewsberry said.

The coach noted that Penn State played a physical game against Maryland, committing 19 fouls while the Terps were called for 12. But he also noted that Pickett logs significant minutes (averaging a Big Ten-high 36 per game) without getting any whistles. Pickett also plays the type of game that should draw some calls.

Why? Shrewsberry wants to know as well.

"Jalen Pickett plays in the paint the entire night and never sniffs the free throw line," the coach said. "That's disrespectful. If it's on me, take it out on me so I'll shut up and you don't have to listen to me the rest of the game.

"But don't be unfair to these kids. He's giving his all for this team, this conference. He deserves better."

Penn State returns to action at home Tuesday against Illinois. The Lions seek to snap a four-game losing streak, and Shrewsberry said his team will be there, ready or not.

"If nobody shows up? That's cool with me, that is cool with me," Shrewsberry said. "The Big Ten's going to make us play this game. The Big Ten's not going to call any fouls for Pickett or let him shoot any free throws, but we're going to play this game on Tuesday night. I'm going to have my guys ready.

"If we lose, so what? We're going to get ready to play again Saturday the same exact way. I'm not a quitter. I'm a fighter. And this is what you do. You ball your fists up and you fight."

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.