There are no moral victories... period. Losing isn't fun for fans, players, or coaches. Losing a close game at home against the top team in the Big Ten, when you clearly out played them at times is frustrating. The fact that there is disappointment/frustration after the close loss, means that there is hope, dare I say anticipation, of Penn State winning this game is evidence of the potential for this team.
There are 4 players on this team that will be all big ten in one form or another.
This team has suffered through some tough losses this year, but they were energetic and motivated. There is no more important job for a coach than to motivate his team and have them prepared to play. The team also had a great game plan to apply defensive pressure and rebound the ball. This game plan and the subsequent execution of the plan worked extremely well and neutralized the likely big ten POY for the first half.
The outside shooting on this team has been hot and cold at times this year, and unfortunately, the outside shooting was extremely cold today. I don't know what you can do within a game to correct this except shoot yourself out of the cold spell or bring someone in off the bench. Unfortunately, there really are only 2 consistant outside threats this year, although Carr and Stevens both have hit some clutch 3 pt. shots at times.
Penn State had three straight dunks to start the second half, before Purdue scored a single point. I can't count the number of games in the Dechelis, Dunn, and Parkhill eras where there wasn't a single dunk in a game. Think about how much more athletic this team is than at any other time in the last 25 years (maybe ever). Even players like Moore (who is a step down in athletic ability from the rest of the contributors), had an emphatic put back dunk in the first half when Penn State owned the boards.
There are 4 players on this team that will be all big ten in one form or another.
- Carr is going to be first team all big ten point guard at some point, the only thing holding him back is the overall success of the team. He should be on the all big ten freshman team, and in the conversation for freshman AA. The way he took over the offense at the end of regulation was amazing. Purdue had no answer for him defensively.
- Stevens may not have quite the high ceiling that Carr does, but he will be 2nd or 3rd team at least. He is starting to get confidence with taking bigger guys off the dribble and he has the ability to do this against just about anyone. Did you see the poster dunk he had on Swanigan?
- Reaves is .all defensive team this year, and as the announcer said multiple times, is a candidate for defensive player of the year. Reaves is one of my all time favorite players to watch. His energy, quickness, hands, and ability to get off the floor are unique in my time watching Penn State basketball. If he could shoot better from the outside, he would be a superstar.
- Watkins will certainly be all big ten defense in the future, and should be discussed for all freshmen big ten based upon his defense. I don't know how those big man clinics work... whether you have to be invited, or must you pay your own way, but if he ever gets his offensive skills polished he may be all around all big ten someday. Mike is now starting to figure out the rebounding thing and we will see him become a dominant defensive and offensive rebounder.
This team has suffered through some tough losses this year, but they were energetic and motivated. There is no more important job for a coach than to motivate his team and have them prepared to play. The team also had a great game plan to apply defensive pressure and rebound the ball. This game plan and the subsequent execution of the plan worked extremely well and neutralized the likely big ten POY for the first half.
The outside shooting on this team has been hot and cold at times this year, and unfortunately, the outside shooting was extremely cold today. I don't know what you can do within a game to correct this except shoot yourself out of the cold spell or bring someone in off the bench. Unfortunately, there really are only 2 consistant outside threats this year, although Carr and Stevens both have hit some clutch 3 pt. shots at times.
Penn State had three straight dunks to start the second half, before Purdue scored a single point. I can't count the number of games in the Dechelis, Dunn, and Parkhill eras where there wasn't a single dunk in a game. Think about how much more athletic this team is than at any other time in the last 25 years (maybe ever). Even players like Moore (who is a step down in athletic ability from the rest of the contributors), had an emphatic put back dunk in the first half when Penn State owned the boards.
