What’s happened to Penn State? A team with Gerry Claxton and Jamelle Cornley shouldn’t be this bad. In a season that started with the promise of an NCAA tourney bid, Ed DeChellis’s squad is, as the Lemonheads might say, a ship without a rudder. Rudderless in State College
After decent non-conference season, a blowout of Northwestern followed by a competitive loss to Indiana gave reason for optimism in State College. But much has changed in Happy Valley with eight consecutive losses, with optimism giving way to resignation. Last night, Byrce Jordan was nearly empty for a game against the 4th ranked team in the Country. Damn, even when Ohio State trotted out Shaun Stonerook, Killer Macon and Jamie Bosley, St. John’s was packed when the Shawn Respert and Michigan State came to town. With no fannies in the BJC and resignation covering the team’s body language, the Lions can’t wait to put this year out of its misery. A disappointing season and I’m not sure where this leaves DeChellis. But a ship without a rudder is a ship without a rudder. Next up, Northwestern in Evanston.
Purdue on the Precipice
Purdue has very little margin for error and Saturday’s bout with Ohio State on Lane Avenue looks like a casualty in waiting. Coming of a critical win against Michigan State last night in Mackey, Purdue now looks to win two in a row on the road after an abysmal 0-30 stretch spanning three seasons, which on the surface seems rather unlikely. Ohio State won 78-60 at Purdue two weeks ago when the Boilermakers couldn’t hit the side of old red barn in the second half. That said, the game was still generally close as Purdue had the chance to get to within 6 late in the game when Greg Oden swatted a Carl Landry layup off the backboard. Ta-ta and good night.
Purdue will have to bring their A+ game if they stand a chance of catching the Buckeye’s coasting on Saturday. Landry will need to forsake jump shots and, instead, attack Oden because being passive against Ohio State does not pay dividends. If Landry scores, it may open up things for Lutz and Teague, making this game surprisingly close. A win here and Purdue is in the Tournament, a loss and Purdue is on life-support. And yes, Matt Painter was wearing an Amaker mock turtleneck with an Alford coif last night; a bad combination and not good any way you look at it.
EJ Gordon Part Deux
Compared to the warm embrace Bruce Weber gave Tom Izzo last week in Champaign, the greeting imparted upon Kelvin Sampson by Weber last month was Lake Mendota ice. It’s unlikely Weber’s emotions have thawed. As Illinois struggles to score in the half court, it’s clear they need more consistent contributions from the point. With their offensive deficiencies and with Randle nursing injuries to nearly every part of his body, the Illini rely too heavily on the poor shooting of Springfield’s Rich McBride. In a season of injuries, Shaun Pruitt’s development has been heartening and he’ll be relied upon to carry the weight against Indiana. While IU is undefeated in Bloomington, this one should be competitive and fun to watch if for no other reason than to see Weber yelling his head off. He should break out the orange blazer for this one.
Rolling and Tumbling
Winners of three straight, Iowa is riding the play of Adam Haluska and Tyler Smith as hard it possibly can. Haluska, named the National Player of the Week on Monday, has poured in 30+ points in his last three games, including 34 last night against the Gophers. On January 1, this game looked like a complete mismatch but today it looks very interesting indeed. Currently 6-4 in Conference, a win in Madison would confirm a complete reversal of fortune from Iowa’s debacle to Dr. Tom Davis and Drake. Under Bo Ryan, Wisconsin comes to play every night. Two teams playing well. I wish I could make it to the Kohl Center for this one.
