Basketball team performs twice as well....did anybody actually watch?

Congrats to the Penn State basketball team and a big hand to Travis Parker, the sole Senior who played his final game at the BJ center. Just a few notes regarding the team:

1. For the first time in Big 11 play, the Lions have swept two teams this year. Purwhew and Northworsten lost both games to Penn State.
2. For weeks I have been writing that Penn State had to end the season at least .500 to get an invite to the NIT. And now the Lions are 14-12 with 2 games remaining...so the mission is accomplished you would think!! Except for one problem; the NIT is now run by the NCAA, and therefore the invite rules have changed. Clearly Penn State needed a winning record to even be considered to join the NIT party. But the invite is NOT guaranteed in the new system. Regardless of this rule change, I still think Penn State will participate in their first post season play in 5 years.
3. The Lions should have a very winable game in the Big 11 tournament. They are currently in 8th place in the conference...which would have them play the #7 team in the first "play in" game. Therefore, Penn State could get past the first round of the tourney for the first time in 5 years.
4. With the improved Penn State team performance and results, is anybody watching??? As the team's record improved dramatically, fan attendance shrunk to the lowest level since the Lions moved to the Bryce Jordan center!! Why? This team was not only successful, but fun to watch as well. And while I did not attend a game this year, reports from friends is that the great marketing from the football field has moved to the basketball court. In the future, Penn State needs a great home court advantage. And loud fans are the ones to make that environment possible.

My take is that the program is at a real crossroads:

• The players and performance have improved
• The fans have grown tired and unsure of the day to day results
• Future recruits want not only on court success, but a great atmosphere around the program. (Think how many football players point to the Ohio State game experience)
• Penn State obtained some National press with the dramatic win over Illinois and the Indiana soap opera

Now is the time for Ed and the team to make the BIG step into BIG time. use these last few games to prep the team for next season. The next few weeks should used like Joepa uses Bowl game prep. Get the team ready for the tournament and prepared for the future.

Go Lions, beat the Crows!