March 11, 2008
Weekly Press Conference Podcast>
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., March 11, 2008 - The Nittany Lion basketball team (15-15; 7-11 Big Ten) has won three of its last four games, including an upset of No. 17 Indiana in its regular season finale, as it heads into its 11th appearance at the Big Ten Tournament Thursday. Penn State, the No. 7 seed, will take on No. 10 seed Illinois (13-18; 5-13 Big Ten) in a first round contest scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.
The game can be heard live on the Penn State Sports Network (WMAJ 1450 AM in State College) with Steve Jones and Dick Jerardi calling the action and will be streamed to www.GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State posted its most Big Ten wins (7) and highest Big Ten finish (7th) since going 7-9 and finish tied for sixth in the 2001 season. The Nittany Lions have defeated Illinois twice on the season, but by a total of just five points including a 52-51 thriller on Feb. 16 in the Jordan Center. Junior Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio) was name to the All-Big Ten third team on Monday, the same day he underwent season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a severely bruised left knee. Penn State's freshmen have picked up the reigns and posted 41 points and 28 rebounds in the win over Indiana. David Jackson (Farrell, Pa.) had his first career double-double in the game (13 points, 10 rebounds) while Jeff Brooks (Louisville, Ky.) had a career high 12 points. Talor Battle has been the most outstanding freshmen this season posting 12 double-digit scoring outings in the Big Ten play and will lead Penn State with a 12.1 ppg average in the Big Ten into the Tournament.
Illinois won its season finale, 67-58 over Minnesota, and has won two of three heading into the tournament. The Illini defeated Penn State 66-60 in the first round of last year's tournament. Senior Shaun Pruitt leads Illinois with 12.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Trent Meacham scores from long range averaging 10.7 ppg with 68 threes on the year. The Illini enter the game with injuries to Chester Frazier, Brian Randle and Rodney Alexander, though all are expected to play.
The Big Ten Tournament runs through Sunday, March 16 with both the semifinals and finals airing live on CBS. A first round victory by Penn State would send them into a second round game with No. 2 seed Purdue at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Friday on the Big Ten Network.
GAME NOTES
#7 Penn State (15-15; 7-11 Big Ten) vs. #10 Illinois (13-18; 5-13 Big Ten)
Thursday, March 13, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (ET)
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
At A Glance: Penn State is 5-10 in 10 previous Tournament appearances and is 3-7 in first round games having reached the semifinals in 2000 and 2001. Penn State fell 66-60 in the first round to Illinois last season, but has defeated the Illini twice on the year. The Illini lead the all-time series 20-9, but PSU has won three of the last five. The Lions are 0-2 vs. the Illini in the Tournament.
Coaches: Penn State: Ed DeChellis - 57-91 (5th at PSU); 162-184 (12th Overall); Illinois: Bruce Weber - 125-46 (5th at ILL); 228-100 (10th Overall)
Television: ESPN2: Brent Musburger (p-by-p) Steve Lavin (analyst) & Erin Andrews.
Radio: Penn State Sports Network: Steve Jones (p-by-p), Dick Jerardi (analyst). Flagship: WMAJ (1450 AM)
WEB: Audio and Gametracker links at GoPSUsports.com.
Up Next: Penn State will attempt to solidify its position for a possible post-season bid either by winning the Tournament and gaining the automatic NCAA bid or improving its record for a possible bid to either the NIT or CBI tournaments.
What A Coaching Job! Lions Win 5-of-Last-10 Despite Loss Of Top Two Scorers And Rebounders: Penn State dropped four straight games after losing leading scorer and rebounder Geary Claxton to a season-ending torn ACL just six minutes into a loss to Wisconsin on Jan. 15 and had a six game losing skid overall. Since then, coach Ed DeChellis and his staff have shuffled the line-up, found new combinations (including four freshmen starters) and new scoring sources and guided Penn State to a 5-5 mark in its last 10 games (including wins in three of its last four) and a pair of victories over Top 25 teams, despite also losing second leading scorer and rebounder Jamelle Cornley (knee) for the final two games. PSU's back-to-back wins on Feb. 27 and March 1 marked the latest in a season PSU won consecutive games since winning first and second round games (March 16 & 18) in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. PSU's two wins in March are also the most since 2001.
Lions Post Most Big Ten Wins Under DeChellis: Despite the loss of leading scorer Geary Claxton 3 1/4 games into the Big Ten season and Jamelle Cornley for the final two games, Penn State posted its most Big Ten wins (7) under coach Ed DeChellis and earned its best Big Ten finish (7th) since 2001. Penn State went 7-9 in the Big Ten and tied for sixth in 2001. Penn State's previous high finish under Ed DeChellis in the Big Ten came with a 6-10 mark and eighth place finish in 2006. The Lions' No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament equals their highest ever (2001).
Pair Of Top 25 Wins: Penn State's 68-64 OT win over No. 17 Indiana (3/9) marked its second win over a Top 20 (No. 7 Michigan State) team in the last 10 games. It marked the most wins over ranked teams for PSU since defeating five in 2000-01.
Freshmen Lead Overtime Upset Of No. 17 Indiana: Playing without its top two leading scorers and rebounders in Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley, Penn State turned to four freshmen starters and they delivered posting a season-high 41 points and 28 rebounds in an overtime victory over No. 17 Indiana in Penn State's last regular season game. The Lions extended their Big Ten home court win streak to five games and knocked off their second Top 20 team in five home appearances, the most victories over ranked teams since 2001. The win earned Penn State its seventh Big Ten win of the season and a seventh place conference finish, both the highest since 2001. David Jackson led the way with his first career double-double (13 pts, 10 rebs). Jeff Brooks scored a career high 12 points and added six boards and Talor Battle had 10 points and five assists. Eric Gordon had 26 for Indiana but shot just 8-of-24 and missed his last six from the floor. D.J. White had 20 points and 12 boards as Indiana shot 38 percent from the floor and committed 17 turnovers. PSU managed just 37 percent shooting, but hung tough on the boards getting 15 offensive boards and trailing just 45-43 in the rebounding battle. Penn State led by as many as six points in the first half and took a 31-30 lead at the half. PSU went up by six again with 16:22 to play as IU didn't score until 14:57 of the second half. They then reeled off a 14-0 run fueled by 12-straight from Gordon to take a 44-36 lead with 12:08 to play. PSU tied the game at 46 on a tip by Andrew Jones. Brooks scored four straight to get within two. A three-point play from Jackson with 23 seconds remaining sent the game into overtime. Danny Morrissey hit a big three in OT and Jackson got a big tip in to put PSU up 63-61. PSU hit 5-of-8 at the line to seal the win.
Last Time Vs. Illinois: Penn State has knocked off the Illini twice this season sweeping the season series with a 68-64 win in Champaign on Jan. 6 and a 52-51 thriller in State College on Feb. 16. Jamelle Cornley (18 pts, 12 rebs) and Geary Claxton (11 pts, 11 rebs) were dominant in the Lions first win as Penn State dominated the glass (49-24) and at the foul line making 24-of-35 to Illinois' 8-of-14. Illinois got 18 from Demetri McCamey and 15 from Calvin Brock. In the second game, Penn State got big games from guards Stanley Pringle (11 pts) and Talor Battle (14 pts, 6 rebs) to edge the Illini who got 10 from Shaun Pruitt and 11 from Trent Meacham. Penn State again won the battle at the line going 14-of-18 to the Illini's 5-of-10. Illinios led by one, 41-40, with 6:37 to play, but Battle scored Penn State's last nine points and both teams suffered through nine minute scoring droughts in a defensive struggle.
Vs. Illinois At Big Ten Tournament: Penn State fell to Illinois, 66-60, in the first round of last year's Big Ten Tournament as Chester Frazier made five threes and scored 21 points and Warren Carter added 19 points. The Illini shot 47 percent from the floor and held off a late Penn State charge fueled by Mike Walker's Big Ten Tournament record tying seven threes and career high 22 points. Illinois led by 16, 41-25, in the second half before and 8-0 PSU run and a late 12-2 PSU run. Walker had Penn State within three following a 25-foot trey with 30 seconds to play.
Three-Peat: Penn State will look to post three wins over the same team in one season for just the fifth time in program history. Penn State last accomplished the feat with three wins over Northwestern in 2006, including a 60-42 win in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Tournament Time: Penn State enters the 2008 Big Ten Tournament with its highest seeding ever at No. 7, equaling its seed in the 2001 and 1998 Tournaments. However, Penn State will bring five newcomers and only three players, seniors Mike Walker and Brandon Hassell and junior Danny Morrissey, who have ever seen action in the Tournament. Penn State is 3-7 in first round games, last winning one in 2006, and has reached the semifinals twice (2000 & 2001).
Battle Among Top Freshmen In Big Ten/Sixth Among Freshman Scorers: With 12 double-digit scoring outings, four career highs and seven games leading Penn State in scoring in Big Ten play, including a spectacular 28-point, 13 rebound, six assist effort in a win over Michigan (3/1), freshman point-guard Talor Battle has placed himself among the best in a strong group of freshman Big Ten players. Battle's 12.1 ppg in Big Ten games is second on the team and ranks sixth among freshman (16th overall) and his 1.50 steals rank second among freshmen (8th overall). Included in his performances are 20 points on a career best 80 percent (4-5) from three in a match-up with Eric Gordon at Indiana and scoring Penn State's last nine points and team-high 14 points, six boards and four assists, with two game-winning FT with :07.1 to play, in a win over Illinois (2/16). He also made a trey with 1:05 to play and a strip just before buzzer in comeback win over Iowa (2/27).
Hot At Home: Penn State went 3-0 at home in February and won five consecutive Big Ten home games for the first time since Penn State was 9-0 in 1995-96, the Jordan Center's inaugural campaign. Among the five home wins to end the regular season, Penn State defeated No. 7 Michigan State (2/2) and No. 17 Indiana (3/9). Penn State has won 13 home games on the season, equaling the highest total ever in the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State also posted a 13-4 record in the Jordan Center in 1999-2000.
Best Attendance Since 2001-02: Penn State's home average attendance of 8,041 for 17 games marks the Lions highest average attendance since attracting an average of 8,140 fans to 14 games in the 2001-02 season. Penn State's total home attendance of 136,693 ranks as the seventh highest total all-time.
Freshman Starters/Four On The Floor For Last Two: Penn State has started at least three freshmen in 11 of its last 14 games and 13 times total on the season and started four freshmen and five newcomers in its final regular season games at Wisconsin (3/5) and vs. Indiana (3/9). It marked the first time four freshmen had started under DeChellis at Penn State. 2007-08 was the first season with three freshmen starters since current upperclassmen Geary Claxton, Mike Walker and Danny Morrissey started several games together in the 2004-05 season. In all, freshmen have logged 73 starts on the year. Point-guard Talor Battle has started 29 games, forward Andrew Jones 20, forward David Jackson 13 and forward Jeff Brooks 11. Penn State has had at least two freshman starters in 28 games, marking the third season in Ed DeChellis' five that two freshman have started, but first time since 2004-05.
Cornley Done For Season/Named To All-Big Ten Team: On the same day junior Jamelle Cornley underwent season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery to repair tissue around his severely bruised left knee (March 10), he was named to the All-Big Ten third team by conference media and honorable-mention by coaches. Cornley was also named second team All-Big Ten by Rivals.com. The 2006 Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year has been honored each of his three seasons in the league.
Freshmen Scoring: Penn State got a season best 41 points and 28 rebounds from freshman (inluding a double-double from David Jackson (13 & 10) and career high 12 from Jeff Brooks) in its 68-64 OT upset of No. 17 Indiana (3/9). Freshmen produced 38 points and 21 rebounds (including 28 & 13 from Talor Battle) in a 69-61 win over Michigan (3/1). Freshman also scored 36 points in Penn State's 85-76 upset of No. 7 Michigan State (2/2). In consecutive games, freshmen scored 28 at Iowa, 30 vs. Ohio State and 36 vs. MSU and are averaging 25.4 ppg in the last 12 games. Talor Battle led freshman scoring with 17 points vs. MSU. Battle and freshman Andrew Jones led Penn State in a 68-56 loss to Ohio State (1/29). The pair accounted for 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Battle led Penn State in scoring for the third time in Big Ten play with 15 points and added a team-high tying five assists. Jones, making his first start in five games, had a career best night posting his first double-double with career highs of 11 points, 10 rebounds, 28 minutes and 4-of-5 from the field. In all freshman accounted for 30 points and 19 rebounds vs. Ohio State, more than half of Penn State's total in both categories.
Lions Posting Top Three-Point Season: Penn State has made 219-of-646 (33.9%) three-pointers on the season. The three-pointers made rank as the fourth most all-time by a PSU team, just three shy of third, and the most since making a record 278 in 2000-01. Penn State's 646 attempts from the arc rank third most all-time and the most since a record 757 attempts in the 2000-01 season. Coincidentally, Penn State's 7th place finish and seven Big Ten wins this year also mark the most since the 2000-01 season (7-9, tied 6th).
The Claxton Effect: Penn State had out-rebounded eight straight teams and led the Big Ten in offensive rebounding (15.8 rpg) prior to Geary Claxton's injury six minutes into the Wisconsin game (1/15). Penn State was subsequently out-rebounded by 19 in that game and has been outrebounded in 10 of 15 games (including Wisconsin) since the injury, failing to record more than 25 rebounds in eight of those games, the first time that occured on the season. Penn State was averaging 40.2 rebounds per game (third in Big Ten) prior to Claxton's injury and has managed just 29.0 per game since. Penn State's scoring average has dropped from 71.7 per game to 58.9 and offensive rebounding to 9.7 per game, including season lows of three vs. Purdue, seven vs. Illinois and eight at Indiana and Iowa. Opponents are shooting 48.5% and scoring 69.4 ppg post injury and 41.6% and 63.8 ppg prior to it. The Nittany Lions broke their scoring slump with 85 points on 48.8 percent shooting and 31-of-51 at the foul line in a win over No. 7 MIchigan State (2/2). As further testament to Claxton's impact, it took until the 11th game after his injury (Iowa, 2/27) before a teammate surpassed his totals in scoring, overall rebounding and offensive rebounds. Jamelle Cornley now leads the Lions in total points and rebounds and Andrew Jones passed Claxton for the offensive rebounding lead in the win over the Hawkeyes.
Winning the Close Ones : A team that has four freshmen and a junior transfer seeing significant playing time is learning how to win close games. Penn State has had six Big Ten games decided by five points or less, one in overtime, and has won the last three, including an overtime upset of No. 17 Indiana (3/9), to bring its mark to 4-2 in such games.
Tough In OT: Penn State's 68-64 overtime win over No.17 Indiana to close the regular season improved the Lions to 2-0 on the year in overtime games (also a victory over Seton Hall) and a perfect 4-0 in such games under Ed DeChellis.