March 6, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion basketball team (15-15, 3-14 Big Ten) heads to Minnesota (17-13, 6-11) on Sunday (1 p.m. on BTN) seeking to build momentum for next week's Big Ten Tournament.
Looking to snap a six-game slide, the Lions will collide with the Gophers in Williams Arena on the final day of the regular season for the second-straight year. Penn State is one game away from a level playing field with all 14 teams in the Big Ten, and the Lions want to use Sunday's game as a springboard into the conference tournament.
"It would be huge (to finish strong)," head coach Patrick Chambers said. "I think going to Minnesota on Senior Night, they've really taken it to us. It would mean everything to go there, compete and give ourselves a chance. It would give us some confidence heading into the Big Ten."
After eclipsing 2,000 career points during Wednesday's 77-67 setback to Ohio State on senior night, D.J. Newbill is on the brink of finishing the regular season as the Big Ten's top scorer. The Philly native heads into the final game averaging 20.3 points per game.
Newbill, who has led the Lions in scoring during 25 of the season's 30 games, has been dynamic with the ball in his hands throughout the season. He scores from just about anywhere on the floor and is a tremendous finisher after contact. Newbill's efficiency is what has separated him from most in the Big Ten this year. He is averaging more than 20 points per game, but is only averaging 15.3 shots per contest.
Additionally, Newbill is the team's second-leading rebounder at 4.8 per game and leader in assists at 3.1 per contest.
"He's really efficient and he gets stuff done," Chambers said. "You look at the way he plays and D.J. is so efficient going about his business."
Fellow senior Ross Travis has played his best basketball of the season during the past two weeks. Travis is averaging 12 points and 8.5 rebounds during Penn State's last two contests. The Minnesota native will finish off his regular season career with a trip to his home state on Sunday looking to remain red-hot. Travis has been active on both ends of the floor for the Nittany Lions and has shot 10-for-18 in the last two games.
Coach Chambers has talked about glimpses into the future during the past two weeks. Look no further than the backcourt duo of sophomore Geno Thorpe and freshman Shep Garner. The young backcourt combo is beginning to hit its stride during the stretch run of the season.
Thorpe and Garner have averaged a combined 26.5 points per game during the last two outings, which is roughly 40 percent of the team's total scoring output. Neither guard is lacking confidence, and both players have had a knack for making big plays when the team needs a boost.
"They are getting into (the practice gym) getting shots up and working harder," Chambers said. "They know we need them. I like to think that we are doing a pretty good job developing these two. Especially Geno Thorpe. When you see him in December and you see him now, you see a completely different player."
Penn State scored its second Big Ten win of the season against Minnesota in the first meeting of the season back on Jan. 28 inside the BJC. In that game, Penn State led by as much as 12 in the second half before Minnesota took a one-point edge with 8:37 to play. Nonetheless, the Lions answered with a surge and held off the Gophers late for a 63-58 win.
Minnesota heads into the final game with three players averaging double-figures. Seniors Andre Hollins (14.3) and Maurice Walker (11.5) lead the team offensively and will be playing in their final home game on Sunday. Walker is also the team's leading rebounder at 6.5 per game. Junior Carlos Morris is the third Gopher averaging double-figures at 11.3 points per game.
The Gophers snapped three-game losing streak with a dramatic 96-90 overtime win at Michigan State on Feb. 26. Minnesota dropped a 76-63 decision to Wisconsin on Thursday evening.
The Nittany Lions are 11-32 all-time against Minnesota. That mark includes two Penn State victories in Williams Arena, with the last coming in the final game of the 2010-'11 season (66-63).