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August 16th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Penn State
Nittany Lions
Overall Rank:
#85
Conference
Rank: #8 Big Ten
2005-06:
15-15, 6-10, 8th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Penn
State had a surprisingly decent campaign last year for a
team that most expected to finish dead last in the conference.
With a relatively young team mostly staying in tact, the Nittany
Lions are hoping to improve on their 15-15 record of a season
ago. Coach Ed DeChellis might not have the size or the sheer
talent to compete with the big boys of the Big Ten, but another
trip to the NIT and a little improvement from the young players,
and this will be a very successful season.
Who’s Out:
The
Lions will miss Travis Parker. The 6-5 forward averaged 12.2
points and 5.6 rebounds as a senior and leaves a hole in the
frontcourt. Clik McSweeney saw limited minutes in 27
appearances in 2005-2006 and most will at least miss his neat
name.
Who’s In:
For the
first time in a while, PSU will bring in some talented freshmen
who won’t have to start immediately. That means there is
actually some depth on this squad and it is a very good sign of
a program turning around. Those incoming freshmen are power
forwards David Jackson and Andrew Jones. David Jackson the
freshman, not to be confused with David Jackson the senior,
averaged a double-double in high school. Jones will do the
dirty work in the paint and, at 6-9, 220 pounds, will give the
Lions somebody who can bang inside with the big guys in the Big
Ten. A couple shooting guards return after redshirting last
season. Danny Morrissey, who was sidelined with a torn patella
tendon, averaged 7.7 points per game as a freshman and is a
lethal option from behind the arc. Maxwell Dubois missed out on
his freshman campaign with a fractured foot. When healthy, the
6-3 combo guard is amazingly quick and will challenge for
minutes in the backcourt.
Who to Watch:
Jamelle Cornley averaged a healthy 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds
as a freshman. He’s undersized at 6-5, but will be an effective
power forward once again. It will be helpful for the frontcourt
if the center isn’t 6-5. Milos Bogetic, Brandon Hassell and
Jonas Suotamo are the returning candidates to take over the
center spot. It will most likely fall to Bogetic after
averaging 12.6 minutes per game as a freshman.
Unless the
freshmen impress early, or the team plays small constantly,
expect some troubles to develop at the five spot.
Final
Projection:
Ben Luber was
thrust into action as a freshman, and now as a senior, he will
have to use his experience in order to lead his team to the NCAA
Tournament for the first time since 2001. Guard David Jackson
(the senior) started all 30 games last year. The combo guard
will backup Luber and could start once again as the shooting
guard. On the wing sits Penn State’s leading scorer and
rebounder from a year ago. Geary Claxton averaged 15.2 points
and 7.5 boards as a sophomore and it won’t take much longer
before everybody in the Big Ten knows his name. Proving the
point that this is actually a Penn State team with some depth is
last year’s sixth man Mike Walker. After starting half of the
games as a freshman, Walker was relegated to the bench in
2005-2006. This year he’ll probably come off the bench once
again to provide a long range threat.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Ben Luber,
Senior, Guard, 7.5 points per game
David Jackson,
Senior, Guard, 6.7 points per game
Geary Claxton,
Junior, Guard, 15.2 points per game
Jamelle Cornley,
Sophomore, Forward, 11.4 points per game
Milos Bogetic,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.7 points per game
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