Nitt Picks Is Refreshed

by Mike on Apr 17, 2008 11:11 AM EDT in News

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I've had a lot on my mind. None of it was Penn State related. But it was good to step away for a few days from the constant talk about Joe, injuries, and the players' off the field behavior. Hopefully my batteries are charged and we can get back into the daily grind at BSD. Let's kick off with some great news.

Despite the disappointing season, the men's basketball program continues on the rise as Ed DeChellis has already landed his first verbal commitment for the class of 2009.

Jermaine Marshall's college career will begin in the same spot he hopes his high school career ends.

Marshall, the 6-foot-4 junior from Red Land will make the trip up to Penn State Friday afternoon, shake Nittany Lions head basketball coach Ed DeChellis' hand and make it known he will be a Nittany Lion.

Marshall, Red Land's all-time leading scorer picked Penn State over schools such as St. Joe's, Temple, Marist and Rider. A season ago Marshall averaged 19.1 points per game and led the Patriots to PIAA playoffs and a 22-7 overall record.

He has the school he wants and Penn State is getting another piece to the puzzle they need.

Marshall led his team to a 22-7 record and the PIAA playoffs last year while averaging 19 points per game. His outstanding play earned him Second Team All State honors as a junior. While the recruiting services haven't had a chance to rate him yet, everyone who has seen this kid play says he's a fantastic get for the program. Anytime you can steal a Pennsylvania kid from Temple and St. Joe's it's a good day. Everyone expects Marshall to make an immediate impact at the two guard from the day he steps on campus in 2009. With him, Battle, Woodward, and Babb we should have a fantastically athletic backcourt for the next several years.

The Big Ten-ACC Not-So Challenge

Sticking with basketball, it was announced this week that Penn State will play Georgia Tech in the 2008 Big Ten-ACC challenge. Is it me, or is anyone else getting tired of this? I mean, it's great exposure for the conference to play teams like Duke, North Carolina, Maryland, and Wake Forest, but is anyone else getting tired of getting our asses handed to us as a conference every year? Penn State is 2-5 since this thing started up in 1999 and the Big Ten has yet to win the challenge in eight years. Maybe a Big XII or SEC challenge would be a better fit for us. Let the ACC set something up with the Big East which is more on their level. I'm just sayin'.

I hope my liver can handle this

There's going to be lots of time for tailgating and pre-game parties this year as Penn State is going to have a lot of late kickoffs.

Penn State will face three Big Ten foes in primetime during the coming season and the kick time has been set for the Nittany Lions' Homecoming game against Michigan.

The Nittany Lions (9-4 last season) play host to Illinois (Sept. 27) and travel to Wisconsin (Oct. 11) and Ohio State (Oct. 25) for 8 p.m. contests. The Big Ten home opener against the Fighting Illini will air on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. The clash against the Badgers will be televised on ESPN or ESPN2, while the game against the Buckeyes will air on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

The Nittany Lions' Homecoming battle against Michigan, which has beaten Penn State nine consecutive times, will have a 4:30 p.m. kickoff and will air on either ESPN or ESPN2.

A determination on which network will air the games may not be made until 12 days before the contest.

Penn State's home clash against Oregon State (Sept. 6) has previously been announced as a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Future game times will be announced.

Etcetera

Nice article on the quarterback competition. I still think we're ok no matter who wins the job.

How bad do linebackers want to come to Penn State? With all of the talent we've recruited in recent years, they may get beat out by a walk-on. If Josh Hull still does not have a scholarship it's a crying shame.

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Ahhh

I think it was about a week ago when we were wondering whethe PSU would get a lot of night games.

Some of us said no because of the shotty behavior of the fans at home in recent years.

Others said yes because we're such a marketable teams, and were made to play under the lights on a Saturday night.

The compromise? Send us on the road at night TWICE in the conference schedule. When is the last time that has happened, if ever? We still also get our home game at night, which is nice.

As for the ACC-Big 10 thing, I'm still in favor of it, if only because we're forced to play at least on good team every year in the OOC. Does anyone here think Curley would schedule Georgia Tech if he wasn't contractually obligated? No. This is our one good chace to see a solid non-conf. foe come into the Valley.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Apr 17, 2008 3:11 PM EDT 0 recs