2018-19 Media Day – Press Conference Videos
Coach Patrick Chambers press conference video
Senior guard Josh Reaves & junior forward Lamar Stevens press conference video
2018-19 Media Day – Transcripts
Chambers press conference transcript
Reaves & Stevens press conference transcript
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers and members of the Nittany Lion basketball team met with the media in the Bryce Jordan Center prior to practice on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Chambers enters his eighth year at Penn State with a returning nucleus of veteran players who have been integral to the program's climb to success.
The Nittany Lions return three starters and 10 lettermen from the team that posted 26 wins, second-most in program history. Senior guard Josh Reaves, a four-year starter, has led the Big Ten Conference in steals twice and was honored as a member of the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team in 2017-18. Junior forward Lamar Stevens, selected as the 2018 NIT Most Outstanding Player, was the team's top scorer in the five NIT games at a 19.2 points per game clip. He has started every game in which he has played – 72 total – since stepping onto campus in 2016.
Redshirt junior Mike Watkins, who missed the final nine games of the season with a knee injury, had 12 double-doubles in 2017-18 and led the team in rebounding with an 8.9 average. The Philadelphia, Pa., native, Big Ten All-Defensive team selection and honorable mention for league accolades, was among the nation's leaders in field goal percentage. He set Penn State's single-season record at 68.5 percent in 2017-18 while improving his percentage for the career record. Sophomore forward John Harrar stepped in to the spot for the final eight games of the season, helping Penn State to a 7-1 mark in March.
Lightning-quick sophomore point guard Jamari Wheeler played in every game in 2017-18 and is penned into the preseason lineup. Penn State also welcomes six newcomers who are determined to help the program continue its success and elevate it to the next level.
"We have four starters and we're looking for a fifth, and it's an absolute dogfight for that fifth spot between the freshmen, and it's been a lot of fun," said Chambers about looking at different lineup combinations. "I've done a lot of different things. I've really mixed it up to see what flows. I want it to flow and I want consistency. I want to be efficient so we've done a lot of different lineups and right now the lineup that fits us best is the four guys and one of the freshmen – which is exciting and it shows growth and development. You have some youth coming off but you also have some veterans coming off (the bench)."
Penn State broke its single-season overall and Big Ten single-season scoring records with 29 games with 70 or more points, another program record. The 74.7 scoring average for 2017-18 was fifth-best on the list and in the top three in Penn State's Big Ten era.
The Nittany Lions' identity, however, is anchored in defending and rebounding.
"We definitely [want to focus] on the defensive side," Chambers said. "I think defensively we have to turn it up a little bit. We have a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism, so I think we're going to have to push out a little bit more but I look forward to that. Jamari [Wheeler], you have to take advantage of his talents, his speed and his toughness, competitiveness. Same thing with Josh [Reaves]. Same thing with Lamar [Stevens]. Lamar is really focused on his defense this preseason. If we can get some stops and some turnovers much like we did last year and get out and run those are some easy baskets for some of those guys that are 'so-called' defensive guys."
Reaves told media members at Big Ten media day that Penn State basketball players love to compete. He reiterated that when talking to the Centre Region media about his teammates Tuesday.
"You know how intense Coach Chambers is, and he brings that same intensity out of people," said Reaves. "He tries to get people to compete more than they've ever competed before. They all know they are fighting for a spot to either play more minutes or get an extra minute here or there. They're very competitive. They are showing it every day, sacrificing their bodies, trying to take charge, diving on the floor, just doing anything to show that they are a tough-minded player, that they are tough and physical, that they are a Penn State basketball player and that they can contribute."
Stevens also commented on the abilities of the newcomers on the Penn State roster.
"I think the sky is the limit for our team," Stevens said. "We have a lot of talented guys, freshmen specifically, that a lot of people don't know about. These guys can really, really, really play and can impact the game in a lot of ways. John Harrar has been great for us, Jamari [Wheeler] has been great for us. Those are two guys that are going to surprise a lot of people. If we continue on the path that we're on right now, and keep getting better every day at practice, then the sky is the limit for this team."
The 2018-19 season will tip off on Friday, Nov. 9 as the Nittany Lions will play host to North Florida and unveil their 2018 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship banner. On Monday, Nov. 12, Penn State plays its second home game, also part of the U.S. regional of the Cancun Challenge, vs. Jacksonville State.
For more information or for answers to questions on how to purchase either single-game or season tickets for the 2018-19 Penn State men's basketball campaign, visit GoPSUsports.com/tickets or call 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Keep up to date with the latest information from Coach Chambers and the Nittany Lions on Twitter by following @Coach_Chambers and @PennStateMBB, on Facebook and Instagram at @PennStateMBB.
2018-19 Penn State media day photo gallery
(10/16/2018) Nittany Lion Basketball Media Day