Nov. 20, 2007
Complete Game Notes Old Spice Classic
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., Nov. 20, 2007 - The Penn State basketball team (2-0; 0-0 Big Ten) will look to build on its most lopsided win in 53 years, a 93-40 blasting of Canisius on Friday, when they take on South Carolina (2-1) of the SEC in the first round of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game tips off at noon and can be seen live on ESPN2.
Penn State will play three games in the tournament held Nov. 22-25 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Every game in the tournament can be seen on ESPN2 or ESPNU. Penn State's games can also be heard live on the Penn State Sports Network (WMAJ 1450 AM & WBUS 93.7 FM in State College) with Steve Jones and Dick Jerardi calling the action and will be streamed to www.GoPSUsports.com.
Preseason All-Big Ten selection and Naismith Trophy candidate Geary Claxton (West Haven, Conn.) has been spectacular in the Nittany Lions' first two games posting back-to-back double-doubles and a total of 43 points and 20 rebounds while playing less than 25 minutes per game. Nittany Lion freshman Talor Battle (Albany, N.Y.) got his first start vs. Canisius and posted eight points, five assists and just one turnover. He leads the team averaging 4.5 assists per game and is third with 10.0 points per game. Junior Stanley Pringle (Virginia Beach, Va.) leads the Big Ten averaging 4.5 steals per game. Junior Danny Morrissey (Cleveland, Ohio) hit 5-of-7 threes vs. Canisius for 17 points.
South Carolina is coming off an 85-75 loss to USC at home on Saturday. The Gamecocks, who play a three guard offense, are led by Cincinnati transfer Devan Downey who posts 16.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. Penn State will either face Rider or N.C. State in the next round of the tournament. Top 25 ranked teams Kansas State and Villanova as well as George Mason and Central Florida fill the other side of the eight-team bracket in the tournament.
The Nittany Lions are beginning a stretch of five games in 10 days, three at the Old Spice Classic before returning home to face Virginia Tech (Nov. 28) and then traveling to their first true road game of the season Dec. 1 at St. Joseph's. The Nittany Lions will have four straight games appearing on national television on one the ESPN networks, all three at the Old Spice and the match-up with Hokies on ESPN2.
Tickets for Nittany Lion basketball can be purchased by visiting the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office, calling 814-865-5555 or by clicking on the ticket link on www.GoPSUsports.com. Penn State offers discounts for groups of 15 or more. Any groups interested in purchasing single-game tickets should contact Justin Weyman in the ticket office at 814-863-6757.