Feb. 6, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Beginning on Saturday, the Nittany Lion basketball team (14-9, 2-8 Big Ten) will play five of its next seven games inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
On the heels of a narrow 64-58 setback at No. 16 Maryland on Wednesday, the Lions' home stretch kicks off with a clash against Nebraska (13-9, 5-5 Big Ten) on Saturday at 4 p.m. (ESPNU).
It will be a special occasion for the program, as Saturday's game will be THON Hoops Day. All student ticket proceeds from the game will benefit THON, which will take place inside the BJC from Feb. 20-22. Additionally, the Nittany Lions will host 70 Four Diamonds families at the ninth-annual THON Hoops Day.
In Brandon Taylor's return from injury, the Nittany Lions went toe-to-toe with the 16th-ranked Terps on the road. Penn State was again in a great position to score a victory in the waning minutes of action, largely thanks to another stout defensive performance. The Lions have held their last five opponents to 66 points or fewer.
"I feel like we dictate the pace," Chambers said. "I think these last four (or five) games we have dictated the pace. I really do. I think we have done a really good job knowing when to attack, when to pull it back and run some sets. Turnovers can dictate that, as well, but I think we have done a really, really good job playing at our pace and knowing when to push the ball. The other teams are trying to get 80 on us, and we just have to do what Penn State does...We have to continue on this path because I like the way we are playing."
Chambers wants to see better execution down the stretch in basketball games on both ends of the floor. The Nittany Lions have made a habit out of competing on every single possession during the last five games. Closing out victories is a step the Lions have been knocking on the door of since the early stages of the Big Ten season. As Chambers frequently says, you earn the right to win games. It goes without saying that Penn State is on the brink of stringing together a series of victories. And that will come with executing in tight spots on defense, sharing the basketball more on offense and getting to the foul line.
"We didn't get the defensive stops we needed (at the end), and on offense we need to execute a little bit better," Chambers said. "I thought we executed at Illinois much better. We got some good shots, high percentage shots for D.J. (Newbill). We need five guys on the same page. At Maryland, we didn't get that for whatever reason. And that happens sometimes...But man do we compete. We are right there. We just have to close the door."
Nebraska enters the weekend after a 76-60 home victory over Northwestern on Tuesday. The Huskers snapped a two-game slide with the win over the Wildcats. Standing at 5-5 in Big Ten play, Nebraska is just two games out of second place in the standings.
Among the top scorers in the Big Ten, forward Terran Petteway leads Nebraska with 19.0 points per game. Shavon Shields is averaging 16.0 tallies per contest, giving Nebraska the top scoring duo in the Big Ten. Petteway and Shields are also the top rebounders on the team, averaging a combined 11.3 boards per contest. As a team, the Huskers are ranked second in the Big Ten in defensive field goal percentage, limiting their opponents to 39 percent shooting. Nebraska is second in scoring defense, as well, holding teams to 61.1 points per game.
The Nittany Lions and Huskers will meet just one time during the regular season. Penn State is 4-5 all-time against Nebraska, including 3-1 at home.