Fans will get a chance to get an up-close and personal look at Pat Chambers and this year’s Penn State basketball team this afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center. That’s because the squad’s regular evening practice will be open to the public free of charge. The event was first announced on Monday night via Chambers’ Twitter account (@Coach_Chambers).

Doors to the practice open at 5:45 pm and fans can enter the Bryce Jordan Center through Gate A. The first 75 fans to enter get free gray Penn State basketball t-shirts. During breaks in practice, fans can win a variety of prizes such as game-worn Nike shorts, jerseys, and warmups. At the conclusion of practice, all those in attendance will be able to shoot around in an open gym until 7:30 pm.

This is definitely an awesome opportunity for fans to get an inside look at the hard work these players and coaches put in on a daily basis. The Lions have struggled thus far this year to a 9-10 record (just 1-5 in Big Ten play), but it was clear before the season that the team would struggle to win ballgames in the heralded Big Ten Conference. Still, Pat Chambers has the team playing hard, as evidenced by the Lions’ beatdown of a solid Purdue team. Keep an eye out for junior guard Tim Frazier, who leads the Lions in nearly every statistical category thus far and is having an All-Big Ten caliber season.

With 25th ranked Illinois coming into town for a prime-time matchup Thursday night, this open practice will provide fans a preview of the effort and attitude the team will showcase in front of a national ESPN2 audience on Thursday night.