I sure did not think I would be saying this after we won our first national tournament in history last year, with 3 of 5 starters returning and some nice pieces being added from the high school ranks, but 'thank goodness this season is over'. Penn State was down right awful, there is really not one positive thing to say about this years team. Ok, Mr. Battle had a nice year, but it was very difficult to enjoy it considering how bad the rest of the team played.
So, what about next year? Well, technically not one player has to leave the squad due to eligibility, but the bigger question is 'should some of them'? If we want we can return every single person on the team, that means all five starters and our pathetic bench, which hardly contributed this year. We are adding one a 3-star PG, ranked as the 28th best PG in the nation. But honestly, that does not get me too excited.
First, true freshman rarely make a big impact at Penn State and second PG is not really our issue. What we absolutely need is a 'big man', we sure did miss Jamelle Cornley this year. He is the only consistent big man we have had since John Amechi back in the mid-90's. So the question is, does DeChellis ask a few players to leave early, allowing him to add some more fresh blood. I personally think a JUCO transfer is critical. We need someone who can make an instant impact in the middle of the paint, someone like a Stanley Pringle, but about a foot taller and 50 lbs heavier.
Personally, the only 'safe' players on this team are Battle (no comment needed), Babb (pretty decent contributor, very hot & cold), David Jackson (only true player who hustles other than Battle), Frazier (purely b/c of potential) and Edwards (purely b/c of potential). As far as I am concerned Jeff Brooks, Andrew Jones and Andrew Ott can go on the merry way.
I think everyone would agree with me about Ott. Brooks is lazy, makes consistent mental mistakes and for all his 'god given ability' does nothing with it. Jones has been the most disappointing player this year. He had a great NIT tournament, but has completely regressed to how he played his freshman year. If he is not forced out, I think the coaches need to make him run more suicide sprints this off-season than any player in the history of the game; he needs to be sent a message to 'step it up'.
2010 was a year to forget, if 2011 is the same there is no doubt a new coach is in our midst. But those wondering if 2010 brings a change at the top, I think not. The buyout is too big and Penn State is very faithful to alums. Let's hope DeChellis turns it around and fast.
We are Penn State.
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Look no further than the ineptitude of the coaching staff fir this horrible season.. They never developed the veterans like Jones, Brooks, Ott. Jackson is at best a supporting offensive player. Babb a driveway shooter with one game…fire up from 3 and hope for the best. Battle tries to do too much and the other guys stand around. The half court offense is dreadful, slow and out of synch the whole season. Inside defense pathetic as the Minnesota game proved. These PSU sad sack veterans have been at PSU for 3-4 years and we get a 3-16 season? Losses to UNC Wilmington and TuLame? How did it get that bad? One answer…Ed Dechellis. Four dead last seasons in 7 years. That’s bad. The one constant…Ed Dechellis.
Ed talks about bad luck. Well you don’t lose 20 gmaes with “bad luck”.
You lose 20 games because you are just plain old BAD. Really bad.
I’m sick of the excuses from Ed Dechellis and Tim Curley. I’m tired of hearing “we’re close” game after losing game. Why should I support this program if the AD cares so little about the program to give an “atta boy” and “he’s doing a great job” after a DEAD LAST B-10 year and 20 losses?
Sorry but that nonsensical rhetoric doesn’t cut it anymore Tim. You are going to see a backlash next year. The BJC is going to be even more empty than it already is. And attendance was bad last year. It will be worse next year. We’re not going get fooled again by the promises and phony optimism. You better be ready to give a lot of free tickets away because what few PSU hoops fans there are will not be showing up after this royal crap of a year.
How does a coach go 32-87 conference play over 6 years and retain his job? Even if you throw out htis year, he’s 29-61 in the Big Ten over 5 years… It makes no sense and sends a message to fans that Penn State is not serious about it’s basketball program…. The team’s overall record in Ed DeChellis’s tenure is 83-104 and no NCAA tourny bids… Yes they were close last year and deserved a bid, but being on the bubble with an experienced team is not the goal. His inability to “coach up” players and lack of progress to develop his experienced players is a trend… I hope Penn State learns their lesson when it comes to hiring their next basketball coach… No more, small name guys with ties to the schoool… Like the splash they made with Cael Sanderson and the wrestling program, they need a big name recruiter..
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