2010 Penn State Basketball Preview:

Talor Battle

What a difference a year makes for the Penn State Men’s Basketball Program.  Entering last season, the program was riding a wave of momentum surrounding its run to 2009 Post Season NIT Championship.  The run which resulted in over 30 busloads of students who traveled to Madison Square Garden for the title clinching victory seemed to awaken the Nittany Lions’ dormant fan base.  Unfortunately, this momentum was short lived as Lions were arguably one of the country’s biggest disappointments in 2009-10 with an 11-20 record which put them in last place in the Big Ten Conference. 

The main problems with last year’s roster resulted were a lack of leadership and a lack of a complementary option to help All-Big Ten Point Guard Talor Battle.  During Penn State’s magical 2008-2009 season, the Lions were led by Battle, gritty Power Forward Jamelle Cornley, and sharpshooters Danny Morrissey and Stanley Pringle.  Last year only Battle remained from that quartet and his teammates failed to step out and fill the void left by the three seniors.  Statistically Battle was spectacular, leading the squad in points (18.5), rebounds (5.3) and assists (4.2).  Many critics felt that Battle did not make much of an effort to get his teammates involved and often settled for contested three pointers, but who could blame him since he was given the freedom by Head Coach Ed DeChellis and due to a lack of support from his teammates.  The fact that a 5”11 Point Guard led the team in rebounds is a bigger indictment on the Lions frontline (namely Jeff Brooks and Andrew Jones).

Swingmen David Jackson and Chris Babb seemed to improve as the season went on but neither is considered to be capable to play “Robin” to Battle’s “Batman.  Jackson was often responsible for guarding the opposing team’s best player and had solid stats across the board.  Jackson would be perfect as a 5^th starter or a 6^th man on a NCAA Tournament caliber team (which the Lions are not).  Unfortunately for the Lions, Babb (who averaged 9.3 points per game and shot well from 3-point range) decided to transfer to Iowa State after the disastrous season.

For Penn State to sniff any post-season (NCAA, NIT or CBI) they will need their two front court enigmas (Brooks and Jones) to step up.  Many observers hoped Jones would build on his solid NIT Tournament run in which he outplayed ex-Notre Dame Star Luke Harangody in the semifinal win (Jones recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds).  Last season Jones often was in early foul trouble which led him to be sitting on the bench for long stretches of games.  Brooks is the ultimate “enigma” who is Penn State’s best athlete and was a four star recruit entering the program in 2007.  Brooks has failed to earn consistent playing time due to a low Basketball IQ even after having ample opportunities.  This season is the last chance for both Jones and Brooks to finally put everything together and give the team a formidable frontcourt presence.

The Lions will be have a couple of options to help Battle in the backcourt.  Tim Frazier is a fantastic athlete who is one of the quicker guards in the Big Ten.  Frazier’s quickness often led him to be out of control with the ball resulting into turnovers. He would also be much harder to defend if he develops a consistent jump shot.  Shooting Guard Taran Buie (Talor Battle’s brother) is arguably Penn State’s biggest recruit in years. He chose Penn State over Maryland, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. 

The biggest question surrounding the program is the job security of DeChellis.  DeChellis signed a contract extension prior to last season after the stirring NIT run.  At the end of last season though, many fans wanted DeChellis out after the team massively flopped and the team was plagued by the same problems all year (stagnant offense, failure to protect the three point line).  DeChellis better right this sinking ship quick if he wants to avoid losing the fan base altogether.  The Athletic Department announced this fall that they are adding NCAA Ice Hockey in a brand new 85 million dollar on-campus arena.  This will certainly be a huge hit for students and local residents alike and could possibly make Men’s Basketball a distant second in terms of winter sports popularity.   

Are You "All In" For Penn State Football??

I'm sure "All In" to watch an unprepared coaching staff struggle to get plays in on time, a predictable (run/run/pass/punt) offense and an athletic department that accepts mediocrity and losing (see Men's Basketball).  Nittany Lion fans, do not blame the kids (the team) who don the blue and white every Saturday at Beaver Stadium.  This is a much deeper problem.  Then again, everything is always great in Happy Valley.  It sure was last Saturday on Homecoming.

Bold Beginnings for Penn State

The major question that surrounded the Penn State football program this offseason was who would start at Quarterback. If Saturday’s game versus Youngstown State was any indication, there is an emphatic answer. True freshman Robert Bolden calmly led the Nittany Lions past Youngstown State 44-14. Bolden completed 20-29 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns to senior captain Brett Brackett. Penn State overcame a relatively slow start in which they trailed 7-6 late in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions closed the first half strong with a 20 yard touchdown pass from Bolden to Brackett and 48 yard Collin Wagner field goal as time expired. Chaz Powell then returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown which effectively put the game away for the Nits.

First Game Observations:

1. The Penn State running game struggled for much of the day. Either Evan Royster looked slow and tentative or the Offensive Line wasn’t opening holes. This must be fixed before the Lions head to Tuscaloosa next week.

2. The Special Teams was special? The special teams have long been one of the week spots for recent Penn State squads. That was not the case on Saturday. Collin Wagner’s three field goals (each was longer than 40 yards), Chaz Powell’s kickoff return for a touchdown, and the coverage units highlighted this effort.

3. The Penn State Defense was solid but not spectacular. Tom Bradley’s unit generally played a solid game but allowing 14 points to a Division IAA team is very rare for the Nittany Lions. One potential problem could be the safety play of Nick Sukay and Drew Astorino. On Youngstown State’s first touchdown, Dominique Barnes took a quick screen pass and blew past the two safeties. Star Alabama receiver Julio Jones must be licking his chops after watching film of Barnes on Saturday.

Bolden's the Winner!!!!

Late Wednesday evening, The Patriot News of Harrisburg, PA reported that true freshman Robert Bolden will be the starting Quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions. This announcement probably says more about the abilities of his competitors (Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome) who each have had more that one year of experience in the Penn State program. Meanwhile, Bolden arrived on campus in the beginning of July for summer workouts. Joe Paterno (who is notorious for not playing freshman) seems to be putting more importance on Penn State's long term future rather than just simply starting an upperclassman. Penn State fans should expect some growing pains this year from Bolden (especially with trips looming to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State) but this decision should reward the Nittany Lions and their fans a few years from now.

Questions under Center Dominate Penn State’s Preseason

Rarely if ever has there been as much uncertainty and intrigue surrounding the Penn State football team.  While most casual observers believe that the biggest question surrounding the squad is about the uncertain future of the school’s legendary coach, Joe Paterno, a different question will have a much bigger impact on the squad’s 2010 season.  For the first time in years, the Nittany Lions have a full-fledged quarterback competition between four candidates.  Prior to spring practice, many assumed that redshirt sophomore Matt McGloin and true sophomore Kevin Newsome would be vying for the job.  After unimpressive showings in the spring game by both, the door was left open for true freshmen Paul Jones and Robert Bolden to enter the race to replace two time All-Big Ten performer Daryll Clark.

It has been reported by the Daily Collegian that during recent practices, all four quarterbacks have seen repetitions with the first-team offense.  Newsome has the most in-game experience among the four candidates.  He was Clark’s backup last season and completed 8-11 passes for 66 yards and also rushed for 95 yards.  Newsome is a dynamic runner who struggles with consistency in throwing the ball.  McGloin, a former walk-on, has emerged as a viable candidate much to the dismay of some fans.  His strength is his leadership skills.  Jones actually played the best of the three quarterbacks on the roster during the spring game.  He went 5-8 with 67 yards and two touchdowns.  Bolden, meanwhile, has sparkled during recent practices.  Dave Revsine of the Big Ten Network recently visited a Penn State practice and remarked “not only wouldn’t I be surprised if Bolden is PSU’s QB, I’d also be surprised if he isn’t – at least based on today.”

Even with fans clamoring for one of the true freshmen to start, many expect McGloin or Newsome to emerge as the starter on September 4^th against Youngstown State.  Hopefully a viable candidate emerges because the Nittany Lions travel to Alabama to take on the defending BCS champions in the Crimson Tide in their next game.  Also on the schedule are road tilts with Iowa and Ohio State, two teams that stifled the Penn State offense led by Clark last season.  If no quarterback emerges, it is a good bet that the Nittany Lions will find themselves unranked at the conclusion of the 2011 Bowl Season.

2010 Predictions:

1.     The skill positions are loaded with talent, but production may not match talent due to questions at quarterback and along the offensive line. 

2.     Barring injury Evan Royster will break the all-time rushing mark at Penn State.  Royster needs 481.

3.     No receiver will stand out statistically for the Nittany Lions.  Last year’s starters, Graham Zug and Derek Moye, will each get their stats, but backups Shawney Kersey, Curtis Drake (when he returns from a broken leg), Justin Brown, and Brett Brackett are each capable of producing as well.

4.     Penn State’s defensive line will be amongst the best in the country by the end of the year.  The line is led by four-year-starter at defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu.  Also look for DT Devon Still and defensive end Jack Crawford to have breakout years.

5.     The linebackers will be solid but not as spectacular as in recent years due to relative inexperience across the board.  Penn State fans have been spoiled by the play of recent linebackers such as Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor, Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman.

6.     The secondary will be a relative strength on the team as it returns three out of four starters.

7.     Final prediction: 8-4 (5-3 in the Big Ten).  Losses to Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State and to either Michigan or Michigan State.