Make It A Dozen - Penn State Falls To The Spartans
by BSD on Feb 13, 2010 3:46 PM EST
in Basketball
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It's a script we've come to know all too well. Penn State comes out looking completely inept and falls behind early. The other team falls asleep. Penn State claws back to tie the game, and then they just can't get over the hump. The other team realizes it's time to come to life, and they close out the game on a 19-8 run to win comfortably.
The loss makes 12 in a row for the Nittany Lions, who are still looking for their first win in Big Ten play. With six games to go, it appears Penn State is destined for a last place finish. With two games against Northwestern and a road game against Michigan, maybe they can still get a win or two to prevent being a historically bad team. It all depends on how bad these players want to avoid being on the wrong side of history.
The Good
Only six more games to go? Just a few weeks until spring practice? I don't own a gun?
Talor Battle had 30 points to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He's the lone bright spot in this grueling season. It would be great to see him win Big Ten Player of the Year. He certainly deserves it considering he could have packed it in a month ago and nobody would have blamed him.
The team actually didn't play terrible today outside of the last 12 minutes where they kept turning the ball over and taking bad shots.
The Bad
Penn State got outrebounded 32-23. Usually Penn State wins this battle. It's hard enough to win a game when they do.
While Talor Battle had 30 points, the rest of the team had 24. That's not going to get it done, boys. Somebody else has to step up. That's just if we want to get lucky and win a game or two. If we want to be consistently good, we need two or three guys to step up and score consistently.
The Ugly
There was that moment there in the second half when David Jackson hit the three point shot to take the lead that you though, "Wow. Maybe they can do this." But then the wheels came off the struggle bus. Andrew Ott and Talor Battle had turnovers. Ott didn't take an open shot resulting in a shot clock violation. Battle took a crazy shot after an ill-advised drive into the lane. Tim Frazier drove to the hoop and threw up a prayer instead of setting up the offense. It's the same story game in and game out. By the time they stopped the bleeding they were down by double digits with just a few minutes to go.
Next Up
Penn State gets their next chance at a win on Wednesday at 8:30 PM when they go to Northwestern. The Wildcats are 16-8 overall and 5-7 in the Big Ten.
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From
where I sit, the stench has finally risen to the box seats….anybody need 4 ?
PSU vs MSU
Being a PSU alum living near MSU, hard to watch the game get away, but at least we win at football….Go Lions!!!
by DHMPSUALUM@MSULand on Feb 13, 2010 7:16 PM EST reply actions
There's not much to say about this one (other than "Talor Battle is ridiculously awesome").
Anyway, Bill Carmody may actually be worse than Ed DeChellis if you grade coaches by how they’ve performed solely in the Big Ten. Here’s my example: against Iowa, NW started off in a 1-3-1. Iowa – whose coach stresses 3 point shots – then hits wide open 3s in the corner and off of “pick and pop” plays with their PF. FOR THE ENTIRE GAME. It was clear that the 1-3-1 was detrimental to NW and Carmody didn’t adjust. Ever. And he’s the coach of a team desperate to make their first ever NCAA appearance.
So anyway, I guess Fugi was right about NW.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
Got this from The Only Colors
It’ll be FORMAT FAIL, but you get the point.
2pt 3pt FT Pts Ast TO
Talor Battle 2-5 7-11 5-8 30 5 2
Other 8 Nittany Lions 5-13 4-15 2-4 24 7 9
Twitter: @scrappled
scrappled.com
"When it’s third-and-10, you can take the milk drinkers and I’ll take the whiskey drinkers every time" - Max McGee
by Run Up The Score on Feb 14, 2010 12:23 AM EST reply actions
Sad.
And yet awesome.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 14, 2010 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
2/17: Never forget, even if it hasn't happened yet
by Mr. Rosewater on Feb 14, 2010 2:44 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
“Anytime I see something screech across a room and latch onto someone’s neck, and the guy screams and tries to get it off, I have to laugh, because what is that thing.”
- Jack Handy
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 14, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Deep Thoughts
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Two of my personal favorites from the early 90s
If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is, “God is crying.” And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is, “Probably because of something you did.”
Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant and she fell on me. Then it wouldn’t seem quite so funny.
Deep Thoughts
I believe in making the world safer for our children, but not our children’s children, because I don’t think children should be having sex.
Laurie got offended that I used the word “puke.” But to me, that’s what her dinner tasted like.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
"If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them."
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
If you ever fall off a building, I think the best thing to do would be to go real limp, because people might mistake you for a dummy and try to catch you, because, hey, free dummy.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 15, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
We used to laugh at Grandpa when he'd head off and go fishing. But we
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
SBN fail
We used to laugh at Grandpa when he’d head off and go fishing. But we wouldn’t be laughing that evening when he’d come back with some whore he picked up in town.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 15, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
A piece of spaghetti or a military unit can only be led from the front end.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
A close second in sheer hilarious one liners to the Bill Brasky line of sketches.
“Bill Brasky once showed me a video of him having sex with my wife and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen!”
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 15, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Brasky once punched a hole in a cow just to see what was comin up the road.
Other Favorites:
He scissor kicked Angela Lansbury.
Once gave an h-j to a manta ray.
Brasky is ranked 18th in the AP college football poll.
Arranged the merger between Unicef and Smith&Wesson.
He showed my how to love a woman and how to scold a child.
But really….all of them are awesome.
“EVERY NIGHT I CRAP THE BED!!!”
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
HO TRAN BRASKY!
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 15, 2010 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
Battle
He is obviously a tremendous player, and the only thing keeping us from being considered one of the worst teams in history. His range is virtually unlimited and is able to create his own shot. However, when I look at some of the elite point guards in the nation, what sets them apart is that they are able to make their teammates better. I still think this is something that he needs to work on…if possible (because I understand other teams may have more talent to work with). Getting 30 points is great, and by no means am I saying that he is being selfish, but every other player on the team has shown flashes of being a good player at one point or another, and I feel that it is his job as the leader and best player to bring out the very best in each of them, even if that means sacrificing his own scoring. This team does so much better in games when guys like Edwards, Ott, Jones, and Brooks are doing things good early in games that builds confidence for those players. It seems like if those guys don’t contribute early they seem to get lost as the game goes on and there is basically no chance of winning.
Having said all of that, I also feel that I am changing my feelings as to his future. I think if he can get some sort of guarantee about being a first round pick, I don’t think he should come back next year. There is nothing that is going to improve his game by playing with this team. I would love to see him and Buie together to try to make an NCAA run but I think that is best for him. I feel he is ready.
by mundyscorner99 on Feb 14, 2010 11:52 AM EST reply actions
I'll be honest.
I’ve heard people complain about Battle’s leadership and I frankly don’t understand it. When Battle passed yesterday, disaster seemed to ensue. These other players (with the possible exception of Babb who seemed decent) just seem to be middling. And I don’t even know where Edwards was.
As for his NBA chances, no. His main attribute is his jump shot but he has been shut down by taller players. What will happen to him in the NBA?
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 14, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, and he's not as fast as Pringle either.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 14, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
He'll get a shot.
Maybe not a good one but he’ll get a chance. Have you seen how dreadful some 8-12 guys on these teams are?
He may be too small or just not quite good enough, but I wouldn’t put a definite NO on his NBA prospects. Close to, but not a definite.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
When he gets into his first NBA tryout/camp...
how long before a competent coach pulls him aside to fix that awful hitch in his free throw shot? I’d set the over-under at 27 minutes.
Battle will get a tryout due to his scoring ability, but I think he’s a longshot to really become an NBA regular.
I think he'll get a shot
Some team could use a decent backup point guard that can come in off the bench and give you some scoring. I don’t think he’ll be an All Star or anything, but I could see him logging 6-8 minutes per game. If he could become a sharp shooter from the arc I think he would boost his stock tremendously as a two guard.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
I agree with the non understanding of the leadership criticism. The kid is tyring to be a leader but non student can fix the problems this team has this year.
Never insult seven men when all you have is a six shooter --COL Sherman T Potter
by psu in the w-b on Feb 14, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
It's ok as long as his neighbors both own five or more.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Oh they let you in
Just be careful and don’t step in your neighbor’s yard.
I’m actually impressed with how low the crime rate is down here compared to Philly. Apparently, when everyone is packing heat, the number of burglaries and robbings goes down.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Nice
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
If anyone thinks Battle will get a shot at an NBA roster
they clearly don’t understand the NBA. Nobody 6’0" and under who doesn;t have the quicks and scoring ability of Iverson or Jameer Nelson gets on an NBA roster for the most part.
Ask yourself this: Is Battle better than
Chris Paul, Iverson or Nelson?
Or better than second tier little men like Earl Boykins, Nate Washington?
It has been mentioned on a number of broacasts this year
That Battle has the most pro potential of any player in the Big Ten according to scouts. I understand there are question marks about his height, etc., but he does a good job of scoring now when every team is focused solely on him. Just think how much of a chance to score if he was on a team with other good players. He does a great job of creating his own shot and his range is basically unlimited.
by mundyscorner99 on Feb 15, 2010 11:30 AM EST reply actions
Exactly, he just does it.
No, he isn’t John Wall. He isn’t the physical, WOW type of guy. He is just a really good player who can find ways to score. Also, he is a great rebounder for a PG.
Its tough to tell though if his deficiencies are a result of poor coaching or what. Is he really a bad FT shooter, a bad defender or can he improve with good coaching?
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
Thank God he's not John Wall.
Yuck.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
Free Throw Shooting
Somebody said it in an open thread and it really hit home with me, but I don’t think Ed coaches free throw shooting. I mean, how can he? The NCAA only allows him so many hours of practice per week. He’s got to worry about teaching them how to set picks, where to stand on offense, and how to defend the pick and roll. He doesn’t have time to coach free throws. That’s on the players to put in the hours of practice on their own.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Not to make excuses for Battle or anything
But could the minutes he plays has something to do with it? He has average 38.4 minutes a game in the 12 B10 games this year. I’m sure he is somewhat used to it by now, but the TYPE of minutes has a big role in it as well. For example, he spends 30 seconds out of 35 running around with the ball, while someone like Jeff Brooks stands there the whole time (nothing against him just using him as an example). That takes its toll over the course of a game, and over a season.
Think if he played 5 less minutes a game, or didn’t have to control everything the whole game, maybe his legs would be fresher…which could help with his FT shooting. Even if he keeps the hitch, the fatigue has to have an impact. Plus for those who say he isn’t fast enough to play at the next level, I think that having fresher legs would make him have more explosive to the basket. It seemed to work on this play..
by mundyscorner99 on Feb 15, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
then these "scouts" should be fired
because there is a kid at Ohio State named Evan Turner that has XXX more pro potential than Battle.
In the 2006-2007 Player Survey
The average height by team ranged from 6’5.93" to 6’7.80"
Taylor Battle is 5’10" on a good day. There were 7 players shorter than 5’11" in the NBA that season. Statistically it’s not looking good for Battle based off of that alone.
He’s averaging 4 assists a game so it’s not like he’s creating shots for other players or making them better. He’s averaging roughly 36.8 minutes a game so he’s on the floor the majority of the game, that said it only makes sense that he’s scoring as much as he is.
To think he’s going to be anything more than a player in the development league is a dream. He’s ranking 90th in 3-pt shooting [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/leaders?cat=3pt&type=1&groupId=null&seasonType=2&seasonYear=2010] so he’s not known for being accurate.
But I guess that’s why I’m not a scout that says he has the most pro potential. I’ll await your rebuttals
FireJayPa.com
Where every day is take your son or daughter to work
No one wants to respond to you because you're an ass.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 15, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Awesome.
"...there'll be some woman, maybe 45 or 50, she'll come up and give me a hug, and I'll give my wife a wink: See? I'm not that old." - Joe Paterno
by ReadingRambler on Feb 16, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
4 assists a game. You think he would have a couple more if his teammates could actually make shots?
Outside of that, you’re not really offbase in your assessments.
People just don’t like you because you are such a negative ass. Not because you disgree, but you are a dick when you do.
And believe it or not, the dude above isn’t lying, I have heard the same thing on telecasts. They are not right, but it has been said. Evan Turner clearly projects as a better pro, but I dunno after that.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
by Roland86 on Feb 15, 2010 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
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