Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers began his weekly radio show appearances tonight from Primanti Brothers. Paraphrased topics and responses provided below.
On going 14-of-34 on layups last night:
Sometimes, they’re driving to get fouled instead of making layups. The guys are bigger and stronger and have finished well for the most part this season, so they need to go up straight line and finish. If the ref blows the whistle, that’s fine, but you have to go to the basket and try to finish. And those misses deflated the team. You could see it have an effect on the team’s confidence.
On that having an effect on defense:
The first six minutes were great basketball. The prep from three days of practice was really shining through. But missed layups and some bad live ball turnovers that created easy twos and threes on the other side were very damaging.
On NC State hitting 66 percent threes:
A 28 percent three point shooting team that hit 63 last night. They thought they could load up and force them to make difficult threes overtop of them, and NC State did. And the big fella making threes, you don’t anticipate that. Wanted him to make one before making an adjustment, and did after the first, but it still wasn’t enough. Plus, they needed to shoot better from the free throw line to damper that momentum NC State gained from it. An experienced team, playing consistent, up 11-0 early, that’s when you have to bury them and Penn State didn’t. They could have taken away their confidence and what they’d worked on by continuing what you’re doing defensively, which they didn’t.
On having that road experience before Iowa:
It will be helpful for sure. This team remembers playing at Iowa last year with a few technicals. That atmosphere last night, they learned about having to play harder, playing more consistent, stay more connected, and that’s what he wants to see Saturday.
Have had 80 percent success rate on play calls out of timeouts:
Have been running the same side and base OB plays for six years, and suddenly now they’re working with better players. It’s about doing simple well, and Penn State didn’t do that last night. But, they did fight and have been fighting. Need to do simple well to really be effective.
Mike Watkins’ experience and his next small steps:
He needs to take little steps. It’s his mindset. He had three great practices before that game and was ready to play, but he can’t refs affect his attitude. Whole team lets the officials affect them too much. Plus, he needs to get more touches. He had 10 last night but needs to be at 12-14, because he’s a willing passer and a good passer, and that will open things for the guards. He doesn’t need to settle down. He’s an energy guy and he is passionate, and they need that. But he needs to find better ways to channel it. If he can do that, he can stay away form silly fouls and understand defensive rotation, go to the foul line with a clearer head.
Culture of the program:
The culture is great. They’re doing some great things and have to keep that going. The leaders and leadership council is doing a great job keeping these guys motivated. They had an awesome offseason and should be mentally prepared for this upcoming challenge on the road Saturday. They’re prepared for what’s about to hit them at Iowa, packed house, first Big Ten game, and they have that experience. It’s a process. They have to play a lot harder and must be more consistent. Offensively, they’re scoring over 80 points a game, but they’ve given up too many points against the high major teams. If they can clamp down defensively and maintain offensive identity, they can win Saturday.
Quick turnaround adjustments this year:
Takes him back to Big East days with Saturday, Big Monday schedule. Just have to be smart with approach to film, walk throughs, rest, just making sure they feel in their minds that they’re ready to go and are 100 percent.
Feelings on Iowa:
Peter Jok isn’t there, which is a big deal. They’re an “enormous” team across the board, with size off the bench. Very tall, very skilled, still averaging a good amount of points. Expects Iowa to come after them because Iowa plays well at home and is coming off some losses. Which means Penn State has to prepare that much bettter and be ready to play. It’s going to be crazy.
Tony Carr:
He’s doing a phenomenal job, checking all the boxes. Facilitating, getting others shots, finding his own. Penn State beat Penn State with unforced turnovers. That’s what this team has to learn, get the two points. Might not be a dunk or highlight reel, but can stop momentum of uncharacteristic made threes.
Last eight minutes defensive character:
They played small, quick and fast at the end. They need to rely on the starters because analytically, they’re off the charts. The starters have to set the standard and come out and guard like they did in the first six minutes. They have to learn how to play that hard for 40 minutes, that’s what great teams do, and they’ll get there. You look at James Franklin and what he did, 1-0 each week, hoops is on the same path but just has to continue that pursuit.
Overemphasis on one game:
Sometimes they put too much value on one game. They have to put it behind them, prepare for Saturday and move on. The staff got together, went through the film, saw what they need to work on, and will focus on improving internally to be ready for Saturday.
On going 14-of-34 on layups last night:
Sometimes, they’re driving to get fouled instead of making layups. The guys are bigger and stronger and have finished well for the most part this season, so they need to go up straight line and finish. If the ref blows the whistle, that’s fine, but you have to go to the basket and try to finish. And those misses deflated the team. You could see it have an effect on the team’s confidence.
On that having an effect on defense:
The first six minutes were great basketball. The prep from three days of practice was really shining through. But missed layups and some bad live ball turnovers that created easy twos and threes on the other side were very damaging.
On NC State hitting 66 percent threes:
A 28 percent three point shooting team that hit 63 last night. They thought they could load up and force them to make difficult threes overtop of them, and NC State did. And the big fella making threes, you don’t anticipate that. Wanted him to make one before making an adjustment, and did after the first, but it still wasn’t enough. Plus, they needed to shoot better from the free throw line to damper that momentum NC State gained from it. An experienced team, playing consistent, up 11-0 early, that’s when you have to bury them and Penn State didn’t. They could have taken away their confidence and what they’d worked on by continuing what you’re doing defensively, which they didn’t.
On having that road experience before Iowa:
It will be helpful for sure. This team remembers playing at Iowa last year with a few technicals. That atmosphere last night, they learned about having to play harder, playing more consistent, stay more connected, and that’s what he wants to see Saturday.
Have had 80 percent success rate on play calls out of timeouts:
Have been running the same side and base OB plays for six years, and suddenly now they’re working with better players. It’s about doing simple well, and Penn State didn’t do that last night. But, they did fight and have been fighting. Need to do simple well to really be effective.
Mike Watkins’ experience and his next small steps:
He needs to take little steps. It’s his mindset. He had three great practices before that game and was ready to play, but he can’t refs affect his attitude. Whole team lets the officials affect them too much. Plus, he needs to get more touches. He had 10 last night but needs to be at 12-14, because he’s a willing passer and a good passer, and that will open things for the guards. He doesn’t need to settle down. He’s an energy guy and he is passionate, and they need that. But he needs to find better ways to channel it. If he can do that, he can stay away form silly fouls and understand defensive rotation, go to the foul line with a clearer head.
Culture of the program:
The culture is great. They’re doing some great things and have to keep that going. The leaders and leadership council is doing a great job keeping these guys motivated. They had an awesome offseason and should be mentally prepared for this upcoming challenge on the road Saturday. They’re prepared for what’s about to hit them at Iowa, packed house, first Big Ten game, and they have that experience. It’s a process. They have to play a lot harder and must be more consistent. Offensively, they’re scoring over 80 points a game, but they’ve given up too many points against the high major teams. If they can clamp down defensively and maintain offensive identity, they can win Saturday.
Quick turnaround adjustments this year:
Takes him back to Big East days with Saturday, Big Monday schedule. Just have to be smart with approach to film, walk throughs, rest, just making sure they feel in their minds that they’re ready to go and are 100 percent.
Feelings on Iowa:
Peter Jok isn’t there, which is a big deal. They’re an “enormous” team across the board, with size off the bench. Very tall, very skilled, still averaging a good amount of points. Expects Iowa to come after them because Iowa plays well at home and is coming off some losses. Which means Penn State has to prepare that much bettter and be ready to play. It’s going to be crazy.
Tony Carr:
He’s doing a phenomenal job, checking all the boxes. Facilitating, getting others shots, finding his own. Penn State beat Penn State with unforced turnovers. That’s what this team has to learn, get the two points. Might not be a dunk or highlight reel, but can stop momentum of uncharacteristic made threes.
Last eight minutes defensive character:
They played small, quick and fast at the end. They need to rely on the starters because analytically, they’re off the charts. The starters have to set the standard and come out and guard like they did in the first six minutes. They have to learn how to play that hard for 40 minutes, that’s what great teams do, and they’ll get there. You look at James Franklin and what he did, 1-0 each week, hoops is on the same path but just has to continue that pursuit.
Overemphasis on one game:
Sometimes they put too much value on one game. They have to put it behind them, prepare for Saturday and move on. The staff got together, went through the film, saw what they need to work on, and will focus on improving internally to be ready for Saturday.
