Football Spring Practice preview

Beginning tomorrow you will be able to read my preview of goals for the Football team this Spring. Please return for information tomorrow....

Well, that was NO fun

Hmmmm, guess I was just a bit off on my prediction!!

If it just wasn't for that lanky, toothpick arms Gouby...and his 32 points and 8 three pointers. The guy was on fire...he could have shot the ball through the eye of a needle!!!!

The positive: Penn State was down by as many as 19 and fought their way back to within 6 at one point in the 2nd half. The team again showed great heart...in another loss.

But here was a great stat that ESPNU showed: over 80% of EVERY positive category returns for our Lions next season. (Assuming no defections in the off season!) The team is young and should only get better next year.

Ed and team GREAT job. Let's keep it going!

PS: Only 10 more days until Spring football practice opens!!!

An NIT conspiracy???

Editors Note: This is purely my POV...as I have NOT heard any "official" news outlet propose this hypothesis.

My idea goes like this:
First, we all have learned that the NIT is now run by the NCAA.

Second, the NCAA runs a huge sports organization. But within that vast array of sports only ONE generates positive revenue. Men's Basketball...specifically the Tourney. (Remember, the Division 1 College Football season in not run by the NCAA)

Third, the NIT is normally a real dog compared to the NCAA Tourney. But now the NCAA has a "Junior" tournament that could generate some cash. But how?

Fourth, many Sportswriters are questioning how key teams with major appeal were NOT selected to be part of the field of 65. Teams like Maryland, Michigan, Cincinnati, Missouri State...

Fifth, those teams are now in the NIT! Which should give the final rounds a more National appeal. Perhaps ensuring better TV ratings and attendance at Madison Square Garden. Think about it....more people watching more Men's basketball equal one thing...

MORE MONEY FOR THE NCAA

So, you hold back a few big name teams from the NCAA Tourney and you place them in the NIT tourney...

I'm not saying, but I'm saying....

By all standards it has been a great year for Penn State basketball

Ladies and Gents,

We should be thankful for being a part of the Nittany Nation.

1. Our beloved football returns to glory and finishes #3 in the screwed up football rankings
2. Penn State is currently #2 in the Sear Cup for overall athletic performance
3. The basketball team finally demonstrates some respectability by being invited to the tourney. Granted it is only the NIT, but that is better than typical losing record....

Let's talk about the basketball team and highlight some major steps accomplished this year:

• For the first time since 2001 Penn State had a winning record
• As I predicted back on February 5th, James Cornley was named the Big 11 Freshman of the Year. He exploded on the scene as a real "man child" and will only become more dominant as he matures.
• Our favorite player, Geary Claxton, continues his development and was named Third team Big 11. He had an outstanding Sophomore season and avoided the dreaded second year slump.
• This year has been Penn State's best since the Sweet 16 run in 2001. Everything points to this fact; from the overall record, to the Big 11 road record, to the Big 11 tourney win, to the post season invite.

What does this all mean? Expect to see an even more competitive Penn State team next year. This team is VERY young....more experience, more maturity, more leadership and more meat on the bones will bode well in the future.

As for tonight: Penn State wins by 8!!!!

Go Lions, beat up the embarrassed armor!

penn state plays northworsten on thursday

hello from Israel:

Penn State, the 8 seed will take on Northworsten the 9 seed on Thursday at 12:00 EST on ESPN2.

can we win three in a row? it is tough feat, but the team should have confidence. let's hope for the best.

of course, i will miss the game due to my travels back to the states. but, i will pray for a win before i leave the Holy Land.

Penn State Fan Letter is on vacation

Due to the Editor's international travel, the Penn State Fan Letter will not have any updates until March 10th.

I am sorry, but I will not be able to update the blog while I am in Israel. I return next Thursday...the same day the FIRST round of the Big 10 tourney begins.

And based upon Penn State's seed and game time, I may miss the game!!!!

Have a great week and Go Lions!!!

Ouch! That was fugly!!!

38 points....are you kidding me???

Penn State played its worse game of the season...just after they potentially secured an NIT bid. They did nothing right....just before the Big 11 tourney.

And that my friends is why Penn State is still a program trying to learn how to win. They do not have the talent or depth, yet, for a few players to have an off night.

Also, keep in mind that Iowa was potentially playing for the Big 11 regular season title....but the Crazy Nuts (Ohio State) secured that position with a win over Northworsten.

That means Penn State is the #8 seed for he Big 11 tourney...and will play either Michigan State, yes their basketball team collapsed as well, or Indiana. Neither is an easy game.

Good Luck Lions! You need to play 1000% better.

Big 11 Basketball Tourney bracket

Click here for the official Big 11 Bracket

Complete with all the key information, such as:

• Schedule of games
• All the match ups by team rank
• Television schedule

If the season ended today, Penn State the #8 seed would play Indiana the #9 seed. But there are still 4 more days of regular season games that will determine the final match ups. However it looks like Penn State should hold onto their #8 ranking regardless of the outcome with Iowa.

Speaking of Iowa, they currently have a 16 game home winning streak. The last time the Lions played on such an "impenetrable court" they walked away with a win in Illinois....

Don't expect a win, but with this team anything is possible!

Go Lions!