Penn State Basketball SID Brian Siegrist has confirmed that Patrick Ackerman and Akosa Maduegbanum will be transferring from Penn State

Penn State Basketball Announces Roster Changes. Ackerman & Maduegbunam to transfer: soa.li/0wn6gKi

— Brian Siegrist (@PSUSTRETCH) April 10, 2013

Going into this off season, Patrick Chambers knew he was going to be one over the scholarship limit of 13 set by the NCAA.  When Tim Frazier went down in game 4 versus Akron, it became a certainty the senior would be grated a medical redshirt, and have a 5th year to play his fourth season.  Shortly after, John Johnson transferred into the program.  Those additions, along with the 4 man recruiting class appeared to put PSU at 15 scholarship players for the 2013-14 season.

Redshirt Junior Sasa Borovnjak and Chambers had agreed prior to the season that he would be moving on, after graduating this spring, not playing his final year of eligibility, but the Lions still needed one more spot to open up.  According to CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman, forward Pat Ackerman, currently a sophmore, and freshman guard Akosa Maduegbanum will both be leaving the program, actually opening up 1 scholarship for next season.

Ackerman was a member of the Class of 2012, which was the final class assembled by former coach Ed DeChellis.  He has played sparingly in his two seasons in Happy Valley, appearing in just 12 games his freshman year (2.2 minutes/game), and 13 this past season (4.4 minutes/game).  In that time, he scored a total of 8 points and grabbed just 8 rebounds.  If this report is true, Ackerman becomes the 3rd member of that 4 person class to leave the program, joining guards Trey Lewis and Matt Glover, who left after last season.  As I detailed earlier this year, the timing of DeChellis’ departure left Chambers with no opportunity to change the makeup of this group, and the differences in style and personality between Ed and Pat has no doubt played a huge part in those transfers.

Maduegbanum, however, was a Chambers recruit, singing late last summer and joining the program for the 2012-13 season.  He appeared in just 14 games, scoring a total of 6 points in those appearances.  Walk on Kevin Montminy had passed him on the depth chart, and with Frazier’s return, Johnson becoming eligible at the end of December, and 3 freshman guards entering the program this fall, it seemed obvious that that limited playing time would get even smaller.  Akosa had been offered a scholarship by Chambers while he was at Boston University as well.

Penn State has yet to confirm these, but if Goodman’s report pans out, it will be interesting to see if Chambers pursues a late option for next season, or pockets the scholarship for next year’s recruiting class.  My hunch is that unless a great fit, either a JUCO forward, or senior transfer that would have immediate eligibility becomes available, that 13th scholarship becomes a part of the recruiting class that can begin signing this fall.

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It’s also safe to say that I did not end up at Penn State because of the basketball program.  However, I was in the car, on the way home from Dayton (and tournament games there), when the Nittany Lions upset North Carolina for a berth in the Sweet 16 way back in 2001.  But, I did fully embrace the program during my 4 years as a student, and have continued to follow things closely in my nearly 8 years as an alumnus.  As we sit here, with Wichita State, Michigan, Louisville, and Syracuse ready to play on college basketball’s biggest stage, it seems like a perfect opportunity to share some thoughts on where Patrick Chambers and the Nittany Lions are going, as Eric did a couple of weeks ago.

Feb 29, 2012; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tim Frazier dunks against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Penn State 80-56. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In the immediate future, it’s hard not to get at least a little excited when you look at the back court Chambers has assembled for the 2013-14 season.  D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall shouldered a huge load this past season, both in minutes, and scoring pressure, and both showed they can be consistent scorers in the Big 10.  With Newbill in particular, the experience running the point against some of the country’s top teams is going to be huge both next year, and beyond.  Next year, both will slide back to more natural positions, and roles, with the return of Tim Frazier. John Johnson, a transfer from Pitt, will also become eligible at the end of the fall semester, adding more experience.  He is also a talented player, getting offers from Pitt, PSU, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and St. John’s out of high school.

While his loss to injury this past season obviously hurt in the short term, it could very well be a blessing in disguise, both in this next season, but also down the road.  Rather than sliding into the point guard spot as a true freshman, incoming recruit Geno Thorpe can be eased into action, and learn from one of the best point guards in the country.  Along with Thorpe, high scoring Minnesota guard Graham Woodward, Peyton Banks join the fold, and should provide much needed depth.

At forward, the picture is more murky, and probably the biggest reason I’m not going all in on next year’s team.  Sasa Borovnjak played well down the stretch for PSU, but all indications are he intends to go forward with his plan to forgo his final year of eligibility.  Behind him, is a lot of question marks.  Freshman Brandon Taylor played well in spurts this year, but was forced to more of an outside role.  In my mind, it’s crucial he becomes more of a forward, with the ability to play outside, instead of the other way around.  Jon Graham shows flashes on both ends, but has yet to put it all together with any type of consistency.  With Sasa’s departure, Graham would appear to be in line for more playing time.  Ross Travis is the most intriguing of the bunch.  He is another player that was asked to do a lot this year, and while he struggled with his offense, his tenacity on the boards and the defensive end were huge.  I expect him to take another step forward going into his junior season, and hopefully refine his game more on the offensive end.  He’s very underrated when he attacks the basket, instead of settling for #RossTravisJumpShots.  Another freshman, 6’10″ Julian Moore, will likely factor in, but save for your average high school All American, it’s tough to expect a lot from freshman forwards at the Big 10 level.

Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Ross Travis (43) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

What does all of that mean for next year’s expectations?  In short, I think this team, should they play to their potential, gets into the tournament (the real one, not the NIT).  While it’s great to have a dominant big man, the majority of the college game is guard oriented, and PSU sets up well in that regard.  It won’t get a lot of headlines, but a starting back court of Frazier, Newbill, and Marshall, will be one of the better ones in the Big 10.  Perhaps even more crucial though, is there are guys behind them.  Chambers will rely on those 3, but Johnson provides experienced depth, and I’m excited to see what Thorpe, Woodward, and Banks can bring.  On the inside, Travis, Graham, Taylor, and the freshman Moore, will need to take the next step, but they also won’t be asked to do too much with the talent at gaurd.

Going foward, PSU has 1 commitment for the class that will begin signing this fall, Williamsport, PA guard Isaiah Washington.  With the reported departures of Patrick Ackerman and Akosa Maduegbunam, Chambers could have 1 more scholarship to offer to that class, depending of if it is used prior to the 2013-14 season or not.  So barring huge changes or a rash of departures, PSU will be going forward with most of the names you are familiar with.  There are still holes to fill at forward, and given time, I am hopeful Chambers can do that.  He has shown a willingness to target big names, and while Brandon Austin’s decommitment hurt, it did provide some hope that Chambers’ Philly connections will only help over time.

I wrote back in February about how PSU found itself in this boat, and also that I almost give Chambers a free pass these first two seasons, given the hand he was dealt.  The way the team played down the stretch, never giving up, despite the 0-14 B1G mark going into the Michigan game, tells me a lot about Chambers.  This team could have thrown in the towel numerous times over the season, but never did.  It was that same “never say die” attitude we saw in Chambers’ first season.  He has such a passion for coaching, and for making it work here.  Penn State basketball will never be Indiana, or Kentucky, or Ohio State or…you get the picture.  However, for the first time since I can remember, it really does feel like the right man is directing the ship to point it in the right direction.

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As frustrating as this past season was for Chambers’ young team, it will pay off for them next season. When you go through the meat grinder that is the Big Ten without your do-everything point guard, the rest of the team is forced to elevate their game and take on more responsible. Even though that didn’t result in many wins, it will only help the players who return next season (which is nearly everyone).

Obviously the two players who had to shoulder the majority of the load once Tim Frazier went down for the season were D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall. At times the duo struggled. But when both were hitting shots and playing well, Penn State was a lot tougher to beat (see Feb. 27 vs. Michigan).

Newbill was also charged with most of the point guard duties, with primary ball handler being his main responsibility. And he’s a shooting guard, not a point guard. So now that Newbill has nearly a whole season of playing point guard under his belt, he has a better overall understanding of the game. And even though Marshall didn’t play the point as much as Newbill, you could say the same about him to a lesser degree. With Frazier back next season, Newbill and Marshall will both play off the ball a lot more and be back at their natural two-guard spots.

Another reason to get excited about Penn State hoops next year is the incoming freshmen class. The four incoming freshmen are Geno Thorpe (guard from Pittsburgh), Graham Woodward (guard from Edina, MN), Payton Banks (small forward from Orange, CA) and Julian Moore (power forward from Ft. Washington, PA).

I’ve seen Thorpe play in person twice and he has impressed me a lot. He is a great on-ball defender, can get to rim and make tough layups. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the other three play in person. I know that Woodward and Banks scored a lot in high school. And even though Moore didn’t fill the stat sheet as much, he was instrumental in helping his team win a state championship. In my opinion, Thorpe might be the most prepared one of the group to contribute right away. But due to Penn State’s need for more production from its bigs, Moore might be the most important down the road.

Another factor to consider for next season is the addition of Pitt transfer John Johnson. Johnson will add more depth and scoring to an already solid backcourt of Frazier, Newbill and Marshall. Chambers seems very optimistic about Johnson and even said this during the press conference:

“What a luxury to have someone off the bench giving you 20.” In 39 games as a freshman at Pitt during the 2011-2012 season, Johnson averaged 4.2 points per game and 1.2 assists per game while playing about 14 minutes per game. I’m not sure what gives Chambers reason to think that Johnson can score like that in a conference like the Big Ten, but hopefully he’s right.

Penn State isn’t going to shock the world and finish in the top three of the Big Ten, but I believe that they have a legitimate shot to win 7-10 conference games next season. Obviously a lot depends on who from the other Big Ten teams decides to enter the draft early (Trey Burke, Victor Oladipo, Deshaun Thomas, etc.).

I’m usually not so optimistic when it comes to sports, but I firmly believe that Pat Chambers will have great success in his third year in Happy Valley. The experience that his team gained from this past season while playing in the best conference in the country without their best player is vital to next season’s hopes. The Nittany Lions are well equipped to make a run at an NCAA Tournament bid in 2013-2014 and I believe that they will do it.

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The Last Time Out

Penn State rode junior guard Maggie Lucas (19 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) and a strong second half (47 points) to defeat the Cal Poly Mustangs 85-55. Senior Nikki Green (11 pts, 8 rebounds) helped to slow down Cal Poly star Molly Schlember. After scoring the teams first 10 points in less than eight minutes of play, Schlember was held to 14 over the remaining 32 minutes. The Lady Lions benfitted from a balanced scoring attack to support Lucas; Mia Nickson (13 points), Alex Bentley (18), and the aforementioned Green all contributed double digits.

About the LSU Lady Tigers

In the first round, LSU faced a tough Green Bay team and escaped with a 75-71 victory. Although their strength is in the post position, the Lady Tigers hit a season best 9-14 three point attemps. They are 14-3 at home this season, and made its case for the NCAA tournament board by beating three top-15 teams: Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas. They are lead by junior forward Theresa Plaisance, the SEC’s leading scorer at 17.3 points per game. She also leads the team in blocks and rebounds, and has 31 consecutive double-doubles. Plaisance is supported by guard Adrianna Webb (14.2 ppg), forward Biance Lutley (10.2 ppg), and Danielle Ballard (12.3 ppg). Ballard was voted to the SEC All-Freshman team, and was award SEC Freshman of the Week five times on her way to lead the SEC in steals.

Coach Nikki Caldwell, a national champion with Tennessee in her playing days, has lead LSU to their second consecutive tournament appearance after missing the Big Dance the year prior to her arrival. She has her team believing in their “Eight is Enough” motto; since they were forced to go with an eight person roster, the Lady Tigers at 6-1.

Social Spotlight

Official Account (@LSUwbkb)

Sports Information Director (@LSUBillMartin)

Head Coach Nikki Caldwell (@NikkiCaldwell)

Theresa Plaisance (@tplai55)

The Matchup

Penn State coach Coquese Washington played against coach Caldwell three times during their collegiate career, and now its the second conseuctive season they are faced against each other. Last year, Penn State won 90-80 behind 30 points from Maggie Lucas. Nikki Greene, who set the school record for consecutive starts, needs to play another big game to help limit Plaisance’s scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. Foul trouble for either team could be a huge factor: LSU’s “Eight is Enough” roster doesn’t provide much depth, but Penn State only has six players with more than 181 minutes logged this season.

The home crowd will be a factor as coach Caldwell has increased home attendance by over 1,500 students in her second season with the Lady Tigers. Penn State is going to rely on Lucas and Bentley to provide the offensive firepower. This game has upset written all over it, but I think the Lady Lions will hold on and advance to the Sweet 16.

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It was quite a start for Penn State in the opening half, however.  Trey Burke hit a 3 off of the opening tip, but that would be it for quite awhile.  The Lions responded with a 14-0 run, opening up an 11 point lead just over 5 minutes into the game.  Given the energy of each team at that point, you couldn’t help but wonder if PSU could knock off Michigan for the 2nd time in a little over 2 weeks. That would all stop pretty quickly after the Wolverines would rattle off 11 straight to tie the game, and then 5 of the next 7 to ultimately take a lead.

Mar 14, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Patrick Chambers reacts in the first half during the first round of the Big Ten tournament against the Michigan Wolverines at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

If you were looking for the reason for such a huge momentum swing, you didn’t have to look hard.  Michigan’s freshman center Mitch McGary entered off the bench for Jordan Morgan, and his energy level, and aggressive play, seemed to finally wake up the Wolverines.  He finished the half with 10 points and 10 rebounds, including several big offensive rebounds.  Despite shooting just 35%, Michigan would lead 35-33 at the break, thanks in large part to 17 second chance points.  PSU was very good on the offensive end, shooting over 50%, but the failure to control the defensive glass had them behind.  Ross Travis, who was key in the upset win at the Jordan Center, did his part with 9 first half rebounds, but they never found an answer for McGary.

PSU was not bad to start the second half either, but the warning signs were there, as they struggled to contain Michigan’s potent offense.  They trailed just 48-45 at the first media timeout, but by the next, it was 10, and then 16 at the under-8, and the Lions never seemed capable of putting a run together to make it interesting.

Senior Sasa Borovnjak was strong again in his final game for Penn State, scoring 15 points, but just 2 rebounds is indicative of the trouble PSU had on the glass.  Newbill lead PSU with 20 points, while Ross Travis finished with his 5th double-double of the season (3 of which came against Michigan) with 12 and 11.  Jermaine Marshall was largely invisible with just 8 points on 3 of 13 shooting.  Michigan put 5 players in double figures, 2 of whom came off the bench.  [Redacted] lead the way with 21.

Penn State caps the season with just a 10-21 record, but was much better down the stretch, gathering 2 wins in their final 4 games, and looking much better in 6 of the final 8.  Attention can now turn towards Tim Frazier’s return next fall, in what could be the most dynamic backcourts in the country.  Colella and Borovnjak are the known departures, and one more is a certainty to ensure PSU is at the 15 scholarship limit.  4 new freshman will also join the fold next year, giving Chambers the type of depth he has not had in 2 seasons.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for all the latest news on Penn State

So what can you expect over the next 4 days in Chicago?  I’m glad you asked.  Here are a few things to watch for over the weekend!

THE LAST TIME OUT

PSU dropped a heartbreaker on Sunday to Wisconsin, 63-60, on a Traevon Jackson 25 foot desperation shot at the buzzer.  It was a back and forth second half, with the lead changing multiple times, and each side getting big shots, and defensive stops, when they needed it.  With just over 5 seconds left, D.J. Newbill took advantage of a second chance, draining a 15 foot jumper to tie the game at 60.  Just a few moments earlier, a similar shot fell short, before the rebound kicked to Nick Colella, who fed Newbill for the tying bucket.  Colella nearly stole the ensuing inbound play, which instead resulted in a held ball, favoring the Badgers, and Jackson’s heroics.  Jermaine Marshall lead all scorers with 23 points, while Newbill added 22, and 5 assists.  The Lions held on to the ball, turning it over just 6 times, after committing 15 in Madison in the first meeting of the year.

Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein reacts during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

ABOUT THE WOLVERINES

Michigan comes off their own heartbreak, missing a tip in at the horn vs. Big 10 champion Indiana on Sunday afternoon.  A win would have given the Wolverines a share of their 2nd straight conference title, instead, they find themselves playing on Thursday in Chicago.  Newly minted Big 10 Player of the Year [redacted] lead Michigan, again, with 20 points, but could not convert a driving layup at the end, prior to Jordan Morgan’s failed tip in.  After an impressive start to the year, that saw Michigan rise to the top spot in the national rankings, they are just 5-5 in their last 10.  It’s hard to identify one specific area, but they have not been able to make plays down the stretch in close games with much consistency, on either end of the floor.  That will need to change if they want to put together a run in March.

THE MATCH UP

In both games, PSU shot very well from the outside, making up for a defense that gave up 79 and 78 points in those games.  Given Michigan’s multiple offensive weapons, it would seem likely they will continue to find ways to score against an improved, but still vulnerable, Penn State defense.  The Lions must keep Newbill and Marshall on the floor (something that did not happen in the road loss to Michigan), and they both need to provide their usual scoring.  Another player or 2 will need to step up from there for PSU to pull a second upset this season.  In the victory at PSU, it was Ross Travis (15 points, 12 rebounds, and extraordinary defense) and Nick Colella, who had 9 big points.  Look for Travis to be key again if PSU is to move on, as well as Sasa Borovnjak.  Sasa had 17 points in Ann Arbor.  On defense, PSU needs to find a way to slow down Michigan just enough, as they did in the final 10 minutes in the BJC.  On that night, a 1-2-2 press slowed down the Wolverines just enough, and helped to force 15 turnovers, including 6 by….that guy.

I expect another hard fought game, but while PSU has their season to play for, it’s now or never for Michigan.  They’re in the tournament, of course, but they need to get some momentum going if they want to make a run.  I expect Tim Hardaway and Jordan Morgan, Michigan’s two key upperclassmen, to lead the way, in a close Michigan win.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

Head on over to SI.com’s Bracket Challenge

Once you have completed the sign-up process, click on “Groups”

Our group name is Victory Bell Rings and the password is chambers

It’s as easy as that.  Once the tournament field is announced on Sunday evening, you’ll be able to sign back in to make your picks, and then follow along as the games play out.

GOOD LUCK!

The Badgers got off to a fast start, scoring the first 8 points of the game, and taking a 14-5 lead just over 5 minutes into the game.  Penn State would tighten things down on the defensive side, holding the Badgers to just 10 points the rest of the way, while fighting back to take a 25-24 lead into halftime.  Newbill and junior Jermaine Marshall each had 10 points for PSU.  After the hot start, the Lions held Wisconsin to just 37% from the floor in the half.

The second half saw the lead change multiple times, as Newbill and Marshall again keyed the PSU offense.  Marshall would pick up his 4th foul with just under 7 minutes to play, forcing him to the bench, and Newbill to carry the offensive weight.  Two Mike Bruesewitz free throws put the Badgers up 60-56 with 33 seconds remaining, but Newbill would quickly drive the length of the floor for an easy layup to cut it to two.  Following a timeout, PSU set up a full court press, forcing the Wisconsin in bound pass to be thrown away, giving the ball back to PSU.  With Marshall on the bench to avoid picking up his 5th foul on defense, PSU was forced to call their final timeout to get him back into the game, despite replays showing the in bound pass was actually tipped by a Wisconsin player.  That would have run the clock, and allowed Marshall to reenter without using the timeout. On the ensuing possession, Newbill’s initial jumper was short, but the rebound found it’s way to Colella, setting up the would be heroics and frantic final seconds. If PSU had not used that timeout, Colella could have potentially used it prior to the jump ball, giving PSU the final shot

Marshall lead all scorers with 23 points, while Newbill added 22, along with 5 assists.  After turning the ball over 15 times in Madison earlier this year, PSU committed only 6 today.  Wisconsin had 4 players in double figures, lead by Traevon Jackson’s 15.

Penn State will play in the Big 10 Tournament 1st round on Thursday afternoon, facing the 5th seed.

Mar 7, 2013; Evanston, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Patrick Chambers reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 66-59. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

THE LAST TIME OUT

Two very long and dubious streaks came to an end for Penn State Thursday night in Evanston.  The 66-59 win over Northwestern ended a 17 game Big 10 road losing streak, and a 19 game overall losing streak away from Happy Valley.  It was not pretty for much of the night, but the Lions were able to do just enough on both ends of the floor to get out of Welsh-Ryan Arena with a W.  PSU scored the first 12 points of the game, and the first 7 of the second half, but squandered away those leads on both occasions.  D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall were again the headliners on offense, scoring 18 points each, but also combining for 10 of PSU’s 16 turnovers.  Sasa Borovnjak continued to hold down things in the post, posting his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 boards.  A strong shooting night (49% from the field, 7/17 from three) helped PSU overcome those 16 turnovers, as well as a strong defensive effort.  The Wildcats shot just 35%, and turned the ball over 15 times.

ABOUT THE BADGERS

At the time I was posting our recap of the PSU win, the Badgers were facing Michigan State, with the victor staying alive for a share of the Big 10 regular season title. Instead of coming to the Jordan Center with a shot to share the championship with Indiana, Michigan and Indiana, Wisconsin was run out of the Breslin Center in a 58-43 loss, that really was not that close.  That loss sewed up the 5th spot for the Badgers, and the rematch with PSU on Thursday.  It was also the Badgers second straight loss after Purdue went into the Kohl Center and held the Badgers to just 20 second half points in a 69-56 win.  While the offense has sputtered down the stretch for Bo Ryan, he is still getting the aggressive defense his teams rely on.

THE MATCHUP

When these teams met in Madison, PSU was able to play solid defense and shoot the ball in a 60-51 loss that felt much closer than the final score.  What did the Lions in was 15 turnovers, including 5 from Newbill, who was playing the point for the first time in the Big 10, and 4 more by Marshall.  PSU will need to continue their improved play on the offensive end (let’s just say that Minnesota never happened), but hang onto the ball.  The Badgers typically take care of the ball (only 4 turnovers vs. PSU in January), and rebound well, and Penn State cannot count on extra possessions.  If PSU gets the type of performance from Borovnjak and Ross Travis they have had in the last few weeks, and takes care of the ball, I expect this one to stay close to the end, with the Lions making it 3 of 4 to end the season.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

Mar 7, 2013; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Mike Turner (10), guard Dave Sobolewski (3) and Penn State Nittany Lions forward Sasa Borovnjak (21) go for a loose ball during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Winning on the road in the Big 10 has long been a challenge.  Penn State has given new meaning to that, however, having gone over 2 years without a win away from the Jordan Center.  That all ended tonight, as PSU snapped a 17 game Big 10 road losing streak (19 overall), with a hard fought, albeit ugly, 66-59 win over Northwestern.

The Lions got off to another hot start, scoring the first 12 points of the game, before the Wildcats finally got on the board with a Kale Abrahamson three more than 5 minutes into the game.  PSU would actually shoot the ball rather well throughout the opening half, and the game for that matter, but turnovers kept them from pulling away.  All told, PSU would turn the ball over 10 times, but that solid shooting (47% from the floor, 5/10 from three) along with 10 Northwestern turnovers had the visitors up 34-30 at halftime.

The second 20 started much like the first, with PSU scoring the first 7 points of the half, opening up an 11 point lead.  That lead would actually grow to 12 shortly after a Bill Carmody timeout, but the Wildcats would take advantage of an inconsistent 2-3 zone from Penn State, eventually taking the lead 54-53 with just over 6 minutes left in the game.  But the Lions would do just enough on both ends, and eventually the free throw line, to pull away for Pat Chambers’ first win away from home.

D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall would finish with 18 points each, and 10 combined turnovers.  Sasa Borovnjak continued his fine form of late, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.  For the game, the Lions shot 49%, including 7 of 17 from behind the arc.  Northwestern senior Alex Marotullio lead all scorers with 22 points, going 6 of 9 from three, but his team was not able to overcome 15 turnovers, and 34.7% shooting.

Penn State returns to the Jordan Center Sunday afternoon against Wisconsin in the regular season finale.  The Lions have the 12th seed in the Big 10 Tournament wrapped up, but the Badgers could potentially be playing for a share of the Big 10 title, pending the outcome of their game against Michigan State.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

THE LAST TIME OUT

Can’t I just write about that win against Michigan?  You guys do remember we beat Michigan, right?  That was fun.  Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis was, well, it was the opposite of fun.  It was senior day for the Gophers, and they made it known quickly it would not be 2 straight upsets for PSU.  Minnesota scored the first 16 points of the game, and held PSU without a bucket until there was less than 9 minutes on the clock.  There was a brief moment late in the first half where it felt like the Lions might get themselves back into it, but instead the home team would run of 10 of the final 12 points of the first half, ending all doubt.  Penn State looked like a team exhausted in every sense of the word, shooting just 27% from the floor, and never looking like the team that knocked off the 4th ranked team in the country just 3 days earlier.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS

Nov 27, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Bill Carmody reacts against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Wildcats will remain the only “major conference” Division 1 school to never make the NCAA Tournament, and that will remain the case this year.  Northwestern has been decimated by injuries and suspensions this season, as they limp towards the B1G finish line with just 4 wins, and now 6 straight losses, and 8 losses in their last 9 games.  However, one of those conference wins came in the Jordan Center back in January, as the Wildcats dominated PSU in a 70-54 win that really wasn’t that close.  They were already without forwards Drew Crawford (shoulder) and JerShon Cobb (academics) in that meeting, and have since lost starting guard Jared Swopshire to a knee injury.  Swopshire had 17 in that meeting, and Dave Sobolewski had 18, leading 4 Wildcats that scored in double figures.  The story for the Lions that night was a familiar one at that point in the season.  They could not make a shot on the offensive end, and could not stop anyone on the other side of the floor.  Keep an eye on Reggie Hearn, who is the leading scorer among the non-injured Wildcats at 13.5 points per game.

THE MATCHUP

It has been nearly two months since the Wildcats came into Happy Valley and handed PSU one of their worst losses of the season.  Saturday’s disaster against Minnesota aside, Penn State is a much more confident team on both ends of the floor, while the Wildcats are quite literally limping towards the finish line.  PSU still needs to put together a complete game on the road, however, and as we’ve seen all season, getting wins away from home in the Big 10 is a tall task.  With that said, I expect PSU to come out fired up after 4 days between games, and assert themselves, especially on defense.  As long as the hot better shooting continues, I think PSU gets not only their 2nd Big 10 win of the season, but gives Coach Chambers road win #1.

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Penn State would not get on the scoreboard until there was less than 9 minutes left in the first half, when D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall finally converted on back to back possessions, cutting the lead to 16-4.  Sasa Borovnjak and Brandon Taylor would follow with baskets of their own, and it felt like PSU might have a shot to get back into things, trailing 21-8 at the under 4 timeout.  Borovnjak and Marshall would both miss quality looks out of the break, and the Gophers responded with a 10-2 run. opening up a gap the Lion would never threaten.  Rodney Williams would cap the first half with as impressive a dunk as you will see:

The second half would be much of the same, especially after the initial 4 minutes that saw the Lions score 10 quick points.  As the clock wound down, Penn State looked like a team out of gas in every aspect of the word.  Acting point guard D.J. Newbill played 39 of the 40 minutes, and gave everything he had to get to 15 points, despite 2 of 16 shooting.  Marshall was the only other Lions in double figures with 10.  The Gophers depth was on display with 9 players getting at least 13 minutes, and 5 in double figures.  Leading the way was senior Trevor Mbawkwe, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds on senior day.

After 4 impressive performances  in a row on the offensive end, PSU struggled all day, shooting just 27% from the floor.  Conversely, the Gophers shot 50%, while out rebounding the Lions 41-20.

PSU is back in action on on Thursday night in Evanston versus Northwestern.  After a roller coaster week that clearly had drained the squad of energy, 4 days between games will be a welcome respite.

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THE LAST TIME OUT

Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Ross Travis (43) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Everything finally clicked for Penn State against #4 Michigan, including the breaks.  A club that has fought hard all year, despite the 14 game losing streak that is now a distant memory, showed that same resiliency on Wednesday, and was rewarded.  It was a closely contested first half, but the Wolverines lead by 3 at the break, aided in part by a disastrous final 30 seconds.  Coming out of the break, the Wolverines opened it up to an 11 point game with a quick 8-0 run.  PSU would respond, but never seemed to get the stop they needed.  With 10 minutes left, the deficit had grown to 15 points, and loss #15 seemed a given.  Then a funny thing happened, the Lions woke up on both ends.  The long and short of it was a game closing 31-12 run, fueled by great defense, and better shooting.  Jermaine Marshall finished with 25 points, including 6 of 10 from three, while D.J. Newbill had 17.  The unsung hero of the night, however, would be sophomore Ross Travis, who had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and played inspired defense, especially in the 2nd half on Trey Burke.  All told, the Lions defense forced 15 Michigan turnovers (6 by Burke), and held the 40% three point shooting Wolverines to just 5 of 20 from behind the arc.

ABOUT THE GOPHERS

Minnesota entered the season with high expectations, and appeared the be meeting them, rising as high as #8 in the country with a 15-1 record going into a visit to Assembly Hall against the Hoosiers.  The Gophers fell 88-81 that night, in what would be the first of 4 straight losses, and start a run that now stands at just 4 wins in their last 13 games, including Tuesday’s shocker over then #1 Indiana.  They have defended their home court, however, sitting at 6-2 in the league.  This is your typical deep, and athletic, Tubby Smith team.  10 players average 9 minutes or more, and 5 average at least 9 points.  Leading the way is sophomore guard Andre Hollins (13.6 ppg), The Gophers are not a great shooting club, at just 44% from the field, and 32% from three, but they are one of the best clubs in the nation on the boards, grabbing 39 per game.  They are lead by the talented Trevor Mbawke’s 8.6/game.

THE MATCHUP

It’s no secret PSU’s weakness on defense is on the inside, and the Gophers have Mbawke along with Rodney Williams on the inside.  Sasa Borovnjak, Ross Travis, Brandon Taylor and Jon Graham will need to be on their game.  The interesting part will be which team is better ready to handle their recent success.  The Gophers would seem to have the edge being at home, plus having a lot more to play for.  All the momentum (and tournament standing) gained from their win against Indiana would likely go out the window, and some, with a loss on their own court to 1-14 Penn State.  The Lions will play hard, they always do, but as has been the case most of the year, the other side will just have too much talent.

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Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions players celebrate during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

From the opening tip, both teams played intense basketball. The Wolverines, B1G conference’s youngest team, rode high flying Glenn Robinson III and big three point shots from Tim Hardaway, Jr and Trey Burke to an early 17-10 lead. Brandon Taylor was huge for the Nittany Lions early, though most of his efforts didn’t show in his final line (7 pts, 1 rebound). Taylor had a put back to close the margin to three, and then hit a three pointer to tie the game with 3:30 left in the first half.

Penn State used a combination of 3/4 and full court pressure to keep the game close until D.J. Newbill (17 points, 5 assists) hit two free throws to give the Lions a 34-32 lead. From that point on, it looked like Penn State was going to waste another good start and end up with a loss on Senior Night. After ending the first half with two turnovers, they allowed Michigan to open the second half on an 8-0 run. With 10:18 left in the game, Penn State trailed by 15.

Jermaine Marshall (25 points, 6-10 3pt FGs) took over from there, scoring 9 of the next 15 points. Marshall and Newbill are 2nd in the Big Ten in scoring backcourts (30.8 PPG), behind only Burke and Hardaway (34 PPG). When it mattered most, Marshall and Newbill put the Lions on their back. Marshall hit a three pointer to get them within seven, and the Newbill’s three got Penn State within five. Marshall capped a 23-8 run to tie the game at 74-74 with less than five minutes left. Trey Burke then had a costly turnover with 4:23 left; the country’s leader in turnover to assist ratio (4:1) ended up with six giveaways.

Feb 27, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein reacts during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Michigan 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall then benefited from a generous blocking call, hitting two free throws to give Penn State the lead. With the Bryce Jordan Center rocking at its loudest since GoGo Gadget, Penn State relied on free throws and an acrobatic layup by Marshall to close it out. Senior Sasa Borovnjak was responsible for three of the team’s last four made FTs and had nine points and five boards on the night. Penn State, who shot only 242 free throws in B1G play compared to 418 by its opponents, made 20-27 free throws (Michigan was 13-20).

Michigan, who has lost their last four road games in the B1G schedule, will try to rebound against top ten ranked Michigan State. Penn State travels to Minnesota, who just upset #1 Indiana, on March 2nd. They will travel to Minneapolis as underdogs once again but nobody will doubt their ability to pull off the upset after Wednesday night’s game. The Nittany Lions, a team who has been credited all season for playing hard while win after win escaped them, have finally gotten their first W of 2013.

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THE LAST TIME OUT

It was a different story, with the same results for Penn State last Thursday evening in snowy Champaign.  The Lions played aggressive defense, made more shots than they had, but still came up 5 points short in a hard fought game against the Illini, falling 64-59.  This time it was turnovers (15 of them, 7 by acting point guard D.J. Newbill), 56% free throw shooting, and 36 trips to the free throw line for the home team.  All told, Illinois would outscore PSU 23-9 from the charity stripe, in what would be the difference in the game.  The good news for the Lions was a third straight impressive performance by the graduating Borovnjak (17 points, 6 rebounds), coupled with Jermaine Marshall’s 20 and Newbill’s 13.  That marked the third straight game with 3 players in double figures, something not done in the previous 11 contests.

ABOUT THE WOLVERINES

February 17, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) dunks the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Didn’t we just do this like…10 days ago?  When we last saw John Beilein’s crew, they were smarting from a 2 game losing streak, including a waxing at the hands of arch rival Michigan State.  It looked like it would be an easy win going in for Michigan against PSU, but the Lions lead for much of the first half, until [redacted] hit a ridiculous floater to tie it at the break.  All told, that guy had 29 points to lead his team to a hard fought home win against Penn State.  In that game, Glenn Robinson III scored 21 and grabbed 10 rebounds, while fellow freshman Nik Stauskas had 18.  Those 2 performances made up for a 3/11, 8 point performance from second leading scorer Tim Hardaway Jr.  Michigan played on Sunday, pulling away from Illinois in the second half for a 71-58 win.  This is a game Michigan must have, especially after Indiana’s upset loss to Minnesota last night.  They find themselves just 1 game back of the Hoosiers in the loss column, and end the regular season with them at Crisler Center.

THE MATCHUP

Penn State probably caught Michigan a little off guard a week and a half ago.  That’s hardly surprising, given where each team found itself.  Don’t count on that happening again, however.  Penn State will need to continue their improved shooting, while finding a way to hang onto the ball.  On the defensive end, they did a decent job of challenging Michigan’s prolific outside shooters, especially early on, and will need to match that, as Michigan shoots 40% from three.  I expect the Lions to play an inspired game, on both ends, but they just don’t have the talent to match up with a team as talented as Michigan.

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In what has started to become a theme, Penn State got out to another fast start, perhaps against an Illinois team that was looking forward to a big road test against Michigan on Sunday.  Regardless of the reason, PSU scored 9 straight points after the Illini got the games first field goal, to take a 9-2 lead with 14 minutes left in the half.  They would score just 11 more the rest of the way as fouls mounted, and turnovers added up.  On one hand, they were fortunate to only be down 29-20 at the half, given all of their errors, but an argument could be made they should’ve been much closer, if not for some missed chances at the free throw line, and 9 turnovers.

PSU would again assert themselves early in the second half, scoring 5 straight points to close within 4, and they would keep it close the rest of the way.  With less than 5 minutes to play, PSU would have their best chance, but a D.J. Newbill jumper was off that would have cut the lead to 2.  On the ensuing Illinois possession, the Lions would play 32 seconds of great defense, before Tracy Abrams would get to the basket for an easy layup to put the home team back up 6.  A Nick Colella three would cut the deficit to 3, but Brandon Paul would hit a triple of his own to put his team back up 6.  A PSU turnover on the next trip down the floor would essentially end their hopes.

Marshall had a dominant second half, but his teammates could not get him the ball for a long stretch as they tried to mount a comeback.  He would finish with 20 points, including 4 of 8 from behind the three point arc.  Sasa Borovnjak equaled his career high 17 points with his 3rd straight impressive performance on 7 of 10 shooting.  D.J. Newbill added 13, but it was those 7 turnovers, and 2/5 free throw shooting that will stick with him.  For the game, the Illini outscored PSU 23-9 from the free throw line.

PSU is off this weekend, before hosting current #7 Michigan next Wednesday in the Jordan Center.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

While Penn State continues trying to avoid being the 2008 Detroit Lions of the B1G conference, it is important to look for silver linings: The Nittany Lions have played tough since a disappointing effort at Nebraska, losing their last two games but only by a combined ten points. Eight of the past ten meetings between these two teams have been decided by five points or less and Penn State has won at Assembly Hall three times in their last five visits.

THE LAST TIME OUT

The Nittany Lions played perhaps their best 40 minutes of basketball last weekend against one of the best teams in the country but eventually fell to the Michigan Wolverines 79-71. Trey Burke (or former Penn State transfer Trey Burke, as ESPN loves to remind everyone) led his team with 29 points and continues to dominate B1G play. Sasa Borovnjak set a career high with 17 points and is averaging 15.5 points over his last two games and has shot 60 percent from the field over the past ten games.

If nothing else, Penn State showed it is not afraid to play on the road, a positive since four of their last six games are away from the Bryce Jordan Center. The Lions led early and went into halftime tied 32-32 against the #5 ranked Wolverines. The 71 points was Penn State’s highest in a B1G road game since 2010 at Northwestern.

ABOUT THE ILLINI

Illinois is led by a pair of senior guards, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson. Richardson, the team’s leading scorer in B1G play at 14.7 per game, has averaged 17.3 over the past eight games. Paul, leading the team with 16.4 PPG for the year, is one point away from 1,500 for his career. Illinois has also played to the level of its competition, defeating top ten teams Indiana, Ohio State, and Gonzaga this season but losing to Purdue and at home against Northwestern.

THE MATCHUP

The Illini come in to their matchup with Penn State on a four game winning streak. As previously mentioned, they have been wildly inconsistent this year. They rely on their guards, which plays into Penn State’s strengths since D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall have carried the team so far this season. Consider me the president of the Borovnjak fan club, but he could be the key to the game. The Serbian will be at a height and consonant disadvantage against Illinois big man Nnannna Egwu but is a much more skilled player overall.

It may seem a copout to say a game between two teams that have occasionally been offensively challenged to say the least this season will come down to defense, such is the case Thursday night. Illinois is 14-2 when it reaches 70 points and PSU is giving up just under 68 for the season. The Illini have tightened up their defense lately, only giving up an average of 56.3 points during their four game winning streak. Illinois is also 14-1 on the season when shooting a better percentage than their opponent. The answer isn’t a quick start either, which has been a staple of Penn State in B1G games lately, as Illinois has four wins on the season overcoming a double digit deficit.

Tyler Griffey may be the wild card in this game; the senior forward is averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds over the past four games and at 6’9” may cause matchup problems for the Lions inside. Griffey has also made two buzzer-beating, game-winning shots for Illinois at home, so keep an eye on him should this one come down the wire. I predict that it will, but the Lions come away with a victory, 66-65.

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February 17, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Sasa Borovnjak (21) shoots the ball over Michigan Wolverines guard Matt Vogrich (13) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On paper, this game looked the very definition of mismatch.  The Michigan Wolverines came in having spent the entire season as a top 5 club with a potent offense, lead by arguably the top backcourt in the country.  Penn State is winless in the Big 10, has struggled practically all season to score, and is missing their All American point guard.  However, as the saying goes, that is why they play the games.

The Lions got off to a fast start, using an 12-1 run to open up a 17-8 lead early in the first half. They would hold that lead until the final minute, when Trey Burke (yes, that guy) hit a running floater to tie the game up at 32 going to the half.  The first half effort from PSU was made even more impressive with leading scorers D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall limited with foul trouble.  Marshall had a quick start that lead to 9 first half points, but it was Ross Travis and Sasa Borovnjak that paced the Lions attack with 7 points each.  All told, PSU shot nearly 46% from the field, while holding Michigan to 36%, and just 20% from three, forcing the Wolverines into several tough shots.

Michigan came out of halftime and scored the first 6 points of the half, but PSU would rally to score the next 6 to tie things back up.  In fact, over much of the second half, the Wolverines would appear to be finally pulling away, only to have PSU answer back to close things back up.  The Lions would never take the lead, but would also never trail by more than 9 points.  Ultimately, timely shooting, and several thunderous ally oop dunks by Glenn Robinson III were just too much for the Lions, not to mention a season high 29 points by he who shall remain nameless. The freshman Robinson ended the game with 21 points and 10 boards, and Nick Stauskas added 18.

PSU got a second straight productive game from Borovnjak with 17 points.  Marshall added 17 more, while grabbing 7 rebounds.  Ross Travis ended with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Newbill had 11 of his own, plus 5 assists.  Nick Colella played big minutes as well, scoring 9 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, and just 1 turnovers, while running the point for long stretches in the 1st half.

The Lions return to action Thursday night at Illinois at 8:15 on BTN.

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THE LAST TIME OUT

PSU’s first Big 10 conference win of the season seeemed to be within reach, as the Lions put together their best offensive performance in a month. Penn State got 26 points from D.J. Newbill, 14 from Sasa Borovnjak, and 14 more (plus 10 assists) from Jermaine Marshall, and matched their conference high mark of 72 points.  But defense, rebounding, and some ill-timed free throw misses (and a make) from Marshall ultimately did them, falling to the Hawkeyes 74-72.  PSU missed 2 chances to tie or take the lead late, but a Newbill 3 was just long, and Marshall’s driving layup attempt was blocked.  The night was not a total loss, as Patrick Chambers honored his pledge of donating $10 to THON for every student in attendance, delivering a check for $14,200 to event organizers on Friday afternoon, prior to his teams departure to Michigan.

ABOUT THE WOLVERINES

February 5, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (3) moves the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan has been among the nations elite all season, opening the year at #5, and rising to the top spot in the AP Poll for one week in late January.  They have also hit their first rough patch of the season, riding a 2 game losing streak into Sunday’s contest.  A desperation 3 at the end of regulation sent them to OT in Madison last weekend, a game they ultimately lost 65-62, before getting run out of the Breslin Center by Tom Izzo’s fast charging Spartans 75-52 on Tuesday night.  On paper, it would appear a home date with an 0-12 Nittany Lions squad is just what the doctor ordered.  The Wolverines are lead by perhaps the top guard duo in the country, sophomore point guard Trey Burke (no, we’re not going there), and junior Tim Hardaway, Jr.  Burke could be the favorite for player of the year, averaging over 18 points and 7 assists per game.  Hardaway adds 15 points.  Freshmen Nick Stauskas and Glen Robinson III both average double figures, with Stauskas shooting nearly 50% from three.  As a team, Michigan shoots over 40% from downtown.  Another of Coach Beilein’s talented freshmen, Mitch McGary, has emerged in recent games, taking advantage of more playing time due to Jordan Morgan’s ankle injury.

THE MATCHUP

It’s hard to see how Penn State can keep this close.  Michigan has been amongst the most prolific offensive clubs in the country, and Penn State quite simply does not have the athletes to hang with them on the defensive end.  Combine that with Michigan’s 2 game losing streak, and especially their humiliation against the rival Spartans on Tuesday, it does not exactly look promising for PSU.  The Lions, most notably D.J. Newbill, need to shoot at least as well as they did on Thursday against Iowa, while at the same time controlling the tempo, and keeping Michigan from making this a track meet.  I don’t think either of those happen, and the home team runs away with this one, quickly.

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