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Penn State Basketball: Despite recent struggles, Pat Chambers’ job remains safe

By Dylan Burd

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Head coach Patrick Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions yells from the sidelines against the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Head coach Patrick Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions yells from the sidelines against the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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After having a chance to get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, Penn State basketball has dropped its last 3 games.

Less than two weeks ago, Nittany Nation was on top of the world after knocking off the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes at the Bryce Jordan Center, 79-59.

The students flooded the court and sang the alma mater in a packed house, as everyone in attendance couldn’t believe what was actually happening: A Penn State basketball team finally had a chance to reach their first NCAA Tournament since 2011.

While everyone was ecstatic about the team’s success, everyone knew the tough road ahead:  at Purdue, vs Michigan and at Nebraska.

A close loss to Purdue didn’t hurt Penn State, but a loss at home to Michigan did. The 12-point-loss in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday was the nail in the coffin. Just like that, any chance at an NCAA Tournament is gone (unless the Nittany Lions pull a miracle and win the Big Ten Tournament).

Following the terrible loss to Nebraska, some fans did a complete 180, calling for Pat Chambers‘ firing on social media.

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The 9-9 Big Ten finish for the Nittany Lions is the best in the Pat Chambers era, which started in the 2011-2012 season.

While Chambers is an abysmal 38-88 in Big Ten play in his Penn State coaching career, calling for his job after Sunday’s game is completely illogical.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t think that some of the blame for a now-disappointing season falls on Pat Chambers. This also doesn’t mean that I don’t think he made some terrible decisions in the last game at Nebraska.

The point is that six Big Ten games were played without Mike Watkins or Josh Reaves, arguably the two most valuable players on Penn State’s roster (this includes Michigan). In Big Ten games where they both played, Penn State was 8-4.

Yes, Penn State lacks depth at the center position, but no matter what depth you had, coming out of Lincoln with a win was going to be tough, especially when Nebraska was also playing for their season.

I understand the impatience of fans as this is undoubtedly the most talented Penn State basketball team ever. However, think of both sides:

Would you rather fire Chambers after the season ends, start fresh, and not let this core get another chance at it next year? Or would you rather keep Pat Chambers, increasing your chances of keeping the whole team together (minus the seniors) and competing for a NCAA Tournament bid next year?

The answer is simple. Of course you don’t fire him. Firing Pat Chambers could set the program back YEARS.

Why? Pat Chambers being fired could lead to Tony Carr and Josh Reaves leaving for the NBA, and Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins transferring. Who knows if Penn State would retain any future commits as well.

We aren’t just talking ordinary players either. Tony Carr led the Big Ten in scoring (19.9 PPG), Josh Reaves led the Big Ten in steals (2.4 SPG), and Mike Watkins led the Big Ten in field-goal percentage (68.5%).

Did I mention yet that Pat Chambers’ contract expires after next season? Why fire a guy one year before his contract is up and risk an explosion? It simply makes no sense.

Go to the Big Ten Tournament, compete well, have a solid NIT outing, and come back next year with almost the same team as this year, adding 2018 recruits Myles Dread and Rasir Bolton for much-needed depth.

You never know what this team could do with Tony Carr, Mike Watkins, Lamar Stevens, Josh Reaves, all as upperclassmen, and more depth around them than they’ve ever had.

This team showed what they can be throughout points during the season, so don’t risk blowing it all up.

Pat Chambers will be back for another campaign in 2018-2019. Will it be his last? If they don’t make the NCAA Tournament then it certainly will be. But you never know what can happen if this program has one great year. It could be program-changing.

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