Dec. 12, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It would be easy for Nittany Lion basketball coach Patrick Chambers to bill Sunday's non-conference tilt as a benchmark for the team with the Big Ten slate looming on the calendar at the end of the month.
Off to the program's best start since 2000-'01 season, the Lions (9-1) enter the weekend at No. 43 in the NCAA RPI. Sunday's matchup (Noon on ESPN3) will pit the Lions against George Washington (6-2), which comes into the game at No. 45 in the RPI.
On paper, it has the makings of a pivotal clash in the big picture of the season, but that's not how the Chambers and the Nittany Lions approach each game on the schedule. The matchup is a big game because it is the next game. And it's another opportunity for Penn State to grow following a 64-62 win over Duquesne on Wednesday.
"We need to continue to get better, and we have," Chambers said. "The fact that we won the other night without three of our best players - Ross (Travis) having a sprained ankle, D.J. (Newbill) not playing well, BT (Brandon Taylor) not scoring - and we still found a way. That's progress in my world. That's encouraging. We have to continue to get better."
Chambers and the staff put great emphasis into the non-conference schedule as means to prepare the team for the rigors of the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have faced a wide-range of styles and personnel during the first 10 games of the season, and Sunday's game is another chance to face a talented team.
"GW is a great opportunity for us. It's the next game on the schedule," Chambers said. "Our goal is to be the best team that we can be by the time we face Wisconsin. I think we are getting to that point. We are getting battle tested. There is no question about it. And GW will do that for us, as well."
The Colonials head to the Bryce Jordan Center on a three-game winning streak, which includes victories over Charlotte (78-70) and DePaul (81-68).
"I put them up with the Michigan's and Wisconsin's (in terms of style)," Chambers said. "Maybe they don't shoot threes as good as those two teams. The way they execute, the way they share the ball. It's a great opportunity to play a great team at home."
A member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, George Washington played in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Lions are eager for the challenge to play against the type of team that will pay dividends when it comes to playing in the Big Ten.
"The A10 is a great league," Chambers said. "I've always admired the A10...It's a competitive league. I think they got six teams in the NCAA Tournament last year. Again, you've got GW coming in. It's going to be a battle. These are the type of games we need to continue to get better and strive for success and really see where we are once this non-conference slate is over."
George Washington and Penn State have met 31 times in a series that dates back to 1907. However, the two teams have not played since 1982. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series, 19-11.
The Colonials are led by junior guard Patricio Garino, who lead the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game. Garino is shooting 60 percent from the field. He is one of four Colonial players averaging double-figures. George Washington is averaging 73.9 points per game and shooting 48 percent from the field.
Riding a seven-game winning streak, Chambers just wants to see a complete 40-minute performance from the Nittany Lions on Sunday.
"I just want to go out, and I want to compete," said Chambers. "If we compete, play Penn State Basketball and try to get 40 minutes - and we haven't seen that yet - we'll like the outcome. But until I feel like we are in that direction, we just need to continue to get better and work on our habits."