With Virginia Tech mens basketball's most meaningful remaining out of conference game coming up this Saturday night against Penn State, televised on ESPN2, we thought we'd get the scoop on the Penn State Basketball team from the source. Here are 5 questions we put to Penn State blogger Dave Young ("flounder") at PennStateCentral.com in advance of Saturday's game.
VTF.com: Most Hokie fans probably know a little about the Penn State football team, but nothing about the hoops team (except that you beat us last year in Happy Valley). Can you give us the lowdown on this year’s team?
DY: This year’s team came in with high expectations, between last year’s finish and the addition of young players who actually had stars next to their names from national recruiting service. Obviously that has not played out the way many thought it would, but the changes have been pretty significant so I am willing to give it some time. The biggest thing is that we are young and deep at every spot, unfortunately for the few older players this team’s best days are ahead of them.
VTF.com: Penn State won the NIT last year. Was that better than making it to the big dance? Are they going to make it this year?
DY: Most would say the NIT was better, which is easy to say when it is where the team went. I think the dance would have been better, especially based on how the team is playing right now. They gained some good tournament experience in the NIT, but the dance would have been a better spotlight, especially had they been able to make a little noise.
VTF.com: Let’s face it, Penn State (like Virginia Tech) is a football school. Does the men’s basketball team get any attention?
DY: The staff and the team are getting more attention which is a double edged sword because losses lead to a lack of attention span from PSU fans, and that goes for all sports. Seeing some of the youth play (Tim Frazier, Bill Edwards, Chris Baab) it is obvious to me that we are making progress on the recruiting trail for a change as opposed to settling for ACC scraps.
VTF.com: Talor Battle is much like Virginia Tech’s Malcolm Delany in that is far and away the team’s best scorer. How good is he?
DY: Talor Battle is something special, and something we have never seen in Happy Valley, plain fearless. From what I hear some scouts had him as a second round pick in the NBA draft, but right now he is a little cold. I think that has to with less shooters on the team and perhaps the move to the 2 spot more frequently in the offense. When he catches fire, he can be pretty remarkable.
VTF.com: There are strong opinions I’m sure on what being in the Big 10 has done for Penn State football. What has being in the Big 10 done for Penn State’s mens basketball team?
DY: I think the jury is out on the Big 10 across the board, but for basketball at least it has given us a venue to make a run. Take the ACC/Big 10 Challenge for example, we were on ESPN2, mentioned during every other game in that tournament, and the first team in the B10 to win 3 straight in that event. All not possible if not in the Big 10.
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