Penn State Upends Georgia Tech in ACC-Big Ten Challenge

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 9:36 AM EST in Basketball Comment 40 comments

Final - 12.3.2008	1	2	Total
Penn St. Nittany Lions	44	41	85
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	39	44	83

Complete Coverage >

For the second year in a row Penn State held up their end of the bargain and defeated their ACC opponent in the annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge. And for the 52nd year in a row or however long they've been playing this thing the rest of the Big Ten got bitch slapped. It's just like bowl season only indoors.

But it wasn't easy for the Nittany Lions. Georgia Tech's big men gave them more than they could handle and then some. Gani Lawal did whatever he wanted to do inside scoring 34 points on 15-of-20 shooting. Most of his points came on easy dunks and layups after casually tossing Andrew Jones aside or just leaving him standing flatfooted after spinning around him.

To compound the problems with the interior defense, Penn State couldn't buy a free throw down the stretch hitting just two of their final seven attempts in the final minutes. Even David Jackson, our most reliable free throw shooter, clanked the front end of a one-and-one twice. A seven point lead with just over a minute to go was erased to a two point lead with Jamelle Cornley on the line and five seconds to go in the game. If he would have made those shots, or even just one of them, Penn State could have sealed the win. But he missed both allowing Georgia Tech a desperation shot to win the game. In a way it may have been a blessing that he missed the second one. Tech had used all of their timeouts and had to collect the long rebound before driving the court to take the shot. Had Cornley made the shot they would have had a chance at a long inbound pass, so that was good.

But with so many obstacles to overcome, Penn State pulled out the win with their fantastic guard play. Battle started slow but rallied late scoring 12 of his 18 points in the second half. In the first half he was active in dishing out assists to his open teammates. But the real star of the night was Stanley Pringle scoring 22 points to go with his three rebounds and four steals. Danny Morrissey also made a major contribution off the bench. He sparked a second half run with two three point shots and finished with 13 points in the game.

This was a great win for Ed DeChellis and Penn State. A 3-1 road trip was exactly what this team needed to boost their confidence. To go into a hostile environment in the ACC and pull out a gritty win proves we can play with anyone even when part of our game is off.

Next up we play Temple back at the Jordan Center on Saturday (6 PM on the Big Ten Network). The rest of the non-conference schedule looks pretty easy barring any Stoney Brook embarassments. So Penn State needs to focus all their energy on this game as it could have huge RPI implications down the road.

0 recs | Comment 40 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Don't know if I would call GTech a "hostile environment" last night

I mean, did you see that arena last night? The place was 1/2 empty. Maybe Penn State though it was a home game since it looked a lot like the BJC on any given night.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Dec 4, 2008 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I noticed a lot of empty seats too. But I think their student section was a lot more enthusiastic than ours.

How about instead of hostile, we call it a “disagreeable environment”?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Much more appropriate label I'd say

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Dec 4, 2008 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

First Time I Watched This Year. . .

Been a PSU basketball fan for a while now but I didn’t have the chance to watch this group play yet. Soooo refreshing to see some dribble-drive out off PSU guards in the early going, as that’s been non existent in the recent past. I like this team’s ability to shoot over the defense if it starts to take away driving lanes as well. That being said, I think this team has even less inside presence than in the days of AJ-Jan-Milos-[that lurpy Kobe look-alike, what was his name]-Geary. Looks like the team is starting to resemble Eddie-ball. Fun to watch, but I question whether or not it can get the job done against the bruisers of the BigTen.

by The IC Lion on Dec 4, 2008 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's the question

Teams with good front courts are going to give us problems. To counteract that we have to get the transition game going against them. We were able to do that last night and spark a few runs. Then we just held on for dear life as Tech chipped away at them.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And

The ability to make runs has been a problem over the years. Hopefully this team can make the 2nd half run consistently when they need it.

by The IC Lion on Dec 4, 2008 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Battle and Pringle

I enjoyed the game, although it looked like they were trying to give it away at the end. I liked the tempo Battle and Pringle were setting, however they are a bit out of control and Battle forced a few shots. They are both very talented, however have a lot to learn.

Morrissey is lights out and they need to get him the ball coming off screens. He’s the type of guy who can bring you back from a deficit or put the game away when he shoots in rhythm.

We are in trouble if we face another guy like Lawal. We had no answer for him and I’m afraid that anytime we play a team with a big man that dominant, we are in for a long night if we aren’t shooting the ball well.

For a team like Penn State, there is no reason this team shouldn’t be shooting at least 70% from the line. Free throws can be the ultimate equalizer so long as guys execute. Now maybe it was the pressure that caused them to miss all those free throws at the end…but it’s going to cost them a game if they can’t sink them. By the way, if you’ve ever played basketball at any competitive level, you would know that free throws are called “free” for a reason and the “charity stripe” means what it sounds like. Asking a scholarship athlete to make 7 out of 10 free throws is not a monumental task.

As for Ed DeChellis someone tell him to shave that tuft of hair he has on the crown of his head….WTF? Are those supposed to be bangs?

"We are Penn State. We are not normal. We are Legends." - Deon Butler

by Stately NOVA Lion on Dec 4, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Free Throws

I’ve been saying the same thing. But last night was pretty uncharicteristic with Jackson missing two down the stretch. That almost never happens. I think he just choked. He didn’t look relaxed at the line.

Jeff Brooks made both of his attempts though, and I thought his form looked really good. Someone has been coaching him and it shows.

I’ve noticed Anrew Jones doesn’t really set himself when he shoots. He seems to go right from a dribble into his shot. I would like to see him set himself and slow down his motion some.

Cornley. Where to start? His technique is terrible. From the way he holds the ball to the way he flicks his wrist in the shot. It’s no wonder he shoots under 60%

I’m really wondering if anyone is coaching these guys at proper technique. Obviously it’s probably too late for a guy like Cornley. Have him change his technique now and it will take him half a season to adjust. But someone has to start coaching these freshmen on how to shoot a free throw. You can’t just end practice and tell everyone to shoot a hundred free throws before they hit the showers. Practice doesn’t make perfect if you’re practicing the wrong techniques.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen.

take practice free throw shooting seriously. Asst. coaches need to go around and watch the players technique…..anyone remember “BEEF” (Bend the knees, Elbow creates a 90 degree angle with arm, Extension & Follow thru)?

When players get tired they stop using their legs to shoot and their elbow starts flying out instead of staying tucked in.

Also…why was Morrissey inbounding the ball at the end of the game? That’s the guy who they should be trying to get the ball to, to shoot free throws down the stretch. Am I missing something?

"We are Penn State. We are not normal. We are Legends." - Deon Butler

by Stately NOVA Lion on Dec 4, 2008 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The killer thing about last night's misses.

They kept missing the front end.

Also, I question the decision to leave all the players in the back court. I mean would it be that big of a deal to have one rebounder up there, especially considering we kept missing the shots? If the shooter gets back you have four people preventing the fast break and a much better chance of making up for your mistakes.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Dec 4, 2008 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wondered that too.

Maybe that threw Jackson off a bit seeing nothing but white jerseys there. You know they were talking to him.

And an offensive rebound on one of those misses would have been huge. It’s not like our half court defense was slowing them down on the other end anyway.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cornley almost got his own rebound.

Hopefully we will perform better down the stretch after that experience.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Dec 4, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good question

They like to have Morrissey inbound the ball for some reason. Maybe they think he doesn’t have the speed to get open off the screen. Maybe they like his passing, but considering the fact he’s usually good for at least one wtf? pass/turnover per game I have to wonder about that.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

as my dad used to say

and I’m sure he was probably quoting someone, but I forget who, “practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect”

by The JuggerNitt on Dec 4, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Man bangs

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Dec 4, 2008 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really like this team

Since I don’t get the big ten, this was one of the four times all year I’ll get to watch them. But I liked what I saw. As others have said, the front court is brutal, but we’ve got a good, gritty, disciplined, and talented front court.

I worry a little that this team can lose games it shouldn’t because it depends too much on outside shooting, but we’ll have to see how often that happens.

Personally, my favorite kinds of hoops squads run the floor, hustle and play good, disciplined defense. We need Jones to grow up fast, but our guards are good AND they have heart. They way the rebound from the backcourt is impressive and promising.

I feel a little bit like I’m holding my breath until someone gets injured, but for now, we look like a legit contender in the big ten.

Also, I loved how effusive John Saunders was in his praise of the Nits. I expect all bball announcers to underestimate us; he didn’t.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Dec 4, 2008 10:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rotation

Unless we somehow find another 2 guys to contribute around 10 minutes a night, this team is going to fade down the stretch. It’s a real shame that a school like PSU can’t at least field a consistently decent basketball team. Everytime I bring a friend to PSU for the first time, they’re amazed at how nice the BJC is.

by mgr135 on Dec 4, 2008 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It was pretty obvious with like 10 left in the 2nd half

how tired the team was. They were playing really slow defense and, at one point during a dead ball, the entire team dropped to put their hands on their knees.

Depth is definitely going to be an issue against the better BT teams.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Dec 4, 2008 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon man

It’s a real shame that a school like PSU can’t at least field a consistently decent basketball team.

You’re not going to turn a program like ours around over night. Last night was a huge step forward for the program so don’t whine about having a crappy basketball team. We have a solid back court that can compete with anyone and some role players that can fill in other spots. Stop with the Debbie Downer talk and enjoy this team. Ed is recruiting well and adding a good player or two every year. It’ll take time to get there but as long as we’re seeing progress be happy with it.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I smell...

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Dec 4, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're looking at the bball team through the wrong lense

First of all, the BJC sucks. It’s lifeless. It’s better for Britney Spears concert than basketball games.

But the fact is, for a host of reasons, Penn State isn’t a basketball powerhouse and isn’t destined to become one anytime soon. Rather than resent that fact of life, embrace it.

We’ve got a first class football program, and that’s great. Everyone can root for them and they make us all proud. We use them to bolster our reputation with coworkers, etc.

But our hoops team is different. Like my beloved Pirates, their perrenially bad. But they have the potential, once in a while, to be just good enough to pull a great upset (against UNC in the tourney in 2001; at Illinois a few years back). It’s more fun to root for underdogs in basketball, and we have our very own underdog team. They play tough and smart basketball, hustle, make little plays. What’s not to like?

We’re never going to be UNC and beat MSU by 30 points. Who cares? We are who we are: a hardnose, scrappy team with something to prove; the kind of team no one wants to play down the stretch.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Dec 4, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Penn State basketball fans can’t get pissed off when we don’t go undefeated, win the Big Ten, and advance to the final four. That’s not what our program is about at this point. We’re always working toward getting there, but if you come to expect a win every night and dump on the program when we don’t you’re not going to enjoy this very fun basketball team.

Penn State fans need to learn to take joy in the small things with this team. Winning a game on the road. ANY game on the road. Seeing a role player break out and show improvement in some facet of his game. Pulling a major upset. Pulling a minor upset even. Getting a big recruit. These are the things we should all cheer for. Instead of complaining “Why can’t we hit foul shots and why can’t we blow out an average ACC team” we should just embrace this team and enjoy the small victories here and there when they come.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree with everything u said....

except the free throws. i’m sorry but that’s not asking much. there’s high school players that shoot free throws better than we did last night.

"We are Penn State. We are not normal. We are Legends." - Deon Butler

by Stately NOVA Lion on Dec 4, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me explain...

I wasn’t looking at this year inparticular. I was looking more “over the years”. Besides 2001 when Crispin and Co knocked off UNC, what have we done? We’ve pulled a couple upsets here and there, but other than that we were disapoinments (Stony Brook). I never expect us to be a top flite program, but we should at least be competing for a NIT bid each year.

I think DeChellis is on the right path and that it will take some time, but how’d the administration ever let it get to this point? We have the resources and facilities. Sure fans may not show now, but everyone loves a winner (Just look at the demand for student football tickets post-2005). Hopefully Ed is paying attention to how Jim Calhoun built the UCONN program.

by mgr135 on Dec 4, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Defense

The interior D wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Although Jones slipped up a couple times, there were a lot of other times when he had good position on Luwal, and the dude would just hit a tough fadaway bank shot anyway. The Big 10 doesn’t have that many guys who can make that kind of shot (I’d like to see Goran Suton try). PSU adjusted for this and started bringing double teams, which were mostly effective because of our guards’ quick hands.

The part of the game when PSU switched to a zone was a disaster, as GT just lit us up from downtown. When we played man with pressure on the guards, they could not hit a thing from that range.

The real concern I have was PSU giving up easy points by getting beat down the floor by GT’s forwards. The jackets’ bigs probably run better than most teams we will see, but fatigue was probably a factor for us. The point is that PSU had some decent defensive sets in the half court. Luwal did what he wanted to even when guarded well.

However, double-teaming will be harder to get away with vs a team with better shooters. Still, this game was a good tune-up for Big Ten play. The Lions rebound with tenacity and it doesn’t look like offense will be a problem this year.

by apy5000 on Dec 4, 2008 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Frustrating Thing

Is that this team has never been good at FT’s under Ed. At some point you have to blame the coaching for this. It’s their job to get players more focused at the line.

by STU Boy on Dec 4, 2008 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Free Throws

I just don’t know.

Can you really make a bad free throw shooting team good with coaching? We looked sharp from the line before the end of the game. Maybe taking all of our guys out of the paint made it weird with only the GT guys (someone mentioned this above).

Free throw shooting seems like a pretty simple thing to coach. Maybe you’re right. I think after this week they should at least start practicing shooting with only 4 players around the paint to simluate end-of-game situtations.

by apy5000 on Dec 4, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes, you can make a bad free throw shooting team good with coaching

but they are probably spending their time more on coaching other aspects, figuring “hey, it’s free throws, they’ll be at least decent,” but if you watched them, their form/technique could definitely be improved.

by The JuggerNitt on Dec 4, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i think you can

Time to relive the past as a high school player, but I think you can. I mean, it has been every single year so something is wrong. I have no problem with Ed, I think he is doing a great job this season, but this needs to be fixed.

I remember our coach stressed focus. At this level it is extremely tough to re-teach form unless you want to lose a player for a year. Focus is key. I mean, Battle is a good shooter, so the only explanation is focus.

You beat that into their brains and you make them shoot after sprints at practice. There are ways to teach better shooting, and I hope Ed finds it out or it will cost us 2-3 Big Ten games.

by STU Boy on Dec 4, 2008 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

On this whole issue with the free throws...

It might not be the coaching of the FTs, as much as it is the amount of time/attention given to it in practice.

In past years, (I hope) the focus was likely less on making FTs and more on playing proper defense, avoiding screens at one end while making solid screens at the other, finding openings and getting better shots. I’m sure this list could continue with lack of skill that Ed has dealt with in the past.

Hopefully now we can start to believe that we don’t need as much focus on the basics, and see that hey – being able to hit these late free throws will actually be important to us this season.

by IcersGuy on Dec 4, 2008 12:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hope you're right

I noted above that I really liked Jeff Brooks’ technique last night. He’s still a little herky jerky like he’s not exactly sure what he’s doing and he’s having to force it, but it looks to me like someone has been coaching him.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i think you guys are missing out on one important fact...

it’s nice to see the lions win on NATIONAL tv.

Meadville, PA born and raised.

by mikeissurreal on Dec 4, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They need

to learn to finish better, besides the free throws the offense seemed a bit flat at the end. But a W is always good, and I like scoring 80+ points on the road.

by Joe 96alum on Dec 4, 2008 12:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Curious, who's going to be the big man

to replace Cornley next year?

Our front court isn’t particularly strong, as seen last night, and none of the backups are getting minutes. I’m fearful we may take a big step back next year when we don’t have a guy who can dominate in the paint.

by PSU Mudder on Dec 4, 2008 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We'll see

Technically Cornley isn’t really a big man. He’s listed 6’5", but a lot of people say he’s more like 6’4". He’s just extremely physical and “plays tall”.

The hope is that Jones (6’10") and Brooks (6’8") get better and that Oliver (6’8") and Ott (6’10") can contribute. We rag on Jones and Brooks a lot, but we have to remember that these guys are only sophomores. And they were both late bloomers in high school at that. But Ed has to hit the recruiting trail and get more guys in that 6’8"-6’10" range that can play.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brooks

He keeps playing better and better every night.

by psuphiman80 on Dec 4, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

And we have to keep in mind he has suffered a concussion and a sprained ankle already this season. So he’s still kind of stuck in preseason mode still trying to find his groove and play his way into shape.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Dec 4, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope I am wrong

I played against Ott in high school when he was with Germantown Academy, and boy was he bad. I can only hope he got better since then, it was laughable when we played him. We actually laughed at his expense after the game. Our coach was touting him, saying he is a Nova recruit. Our tallest player was 6’4 and he dominated Ott.

I hope I am wrong, as we could use him. Germantown also had Ryan Ayers (now tearing it up at ND) and Ryan Grimes, who was also good. They were a stacked team that Ott did not do much for.

by STU Boy on Dec 4, 2008 2:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs