Oct. 16, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., Oct. 16, 2008 - The Nittany Lion basketball team officially opens practice Friday evening, Oct. 17.
Penn State fans can get a sneak peak at coach Ed DeChellis' sixth Nittany Lion squad on Saturday prior to the football team's 4:30 p.m. match-up with Michigan in Beaver Stadium. Penn State will hold an open practice, autograph session and three-point contest in the Bryce Jordan Center Saturday with doors opening to the public at 11:30 a.m. The team will practice until 1:15 p.m. and then invite fans to join in a three-point contest and autograph/picture session until 2:30 p.m. The event will immediately precede the "Nittany Lion Tailgreat" band performance in the Jordan Center prior to the football game.
The Nittany Lions were picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten by Lindy's College Basketball pre-season magazine and return their top two scorers and five of their top six from last season, including leading scorer Talor Battle (Albany, N.Y.). Battle, a sophomore point-guard who posted 10.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3.1 apg last season, also led the Lions in assists and steals and is among four of the Lions top five rebounders that also return. Battle shared team MVP honors with two-time All-Big Ten honoree Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio). Cornley averaged 12.1 ppg and 6.0 rpg last season to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors despite missing six games total and the last three of the season with a knee injury.
The Nittany Lions will play one exhibition game vs. Bloomsburg on Sunday, Nov. 9 in the Jordan Center before opening the season on Friday, Nov. 14 with a 6:30 p.m. match-up with William and Mary. That game will be played the night before the football team's Nov. 15 match-up with Indiana in Beaver Stadium. Football tickets for the Indiana game can be shown at the door of the Bryce Jordan Center to receive a 2-for-1, buy-one-get-one free ticket to the game.
The Nittany Lions, which won a record tying 13 home games last season including its last five vs. Big Ten competition, will play 18 home games on the season, nine against Big Ten opponents.
Penn State basketball tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office during regular business hours at 814-865-5555 or visiting GoPSUsports.com anytime. Penn State basketball offers the most flexible ticket package ever with the 2009 FLEX pack. For just $99 fans can receive 10 vouchers that can be redeemed in any quantity, bring one friend or nine, for any men's or women's game on any date. You pick the games, the dates and the number of tickets that work for you. The Penn State Basketball FLEX Pack - now our schedule fits yours!