Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

The Men’s Basketball Season Explained in GIFs

Now that the men’s basketball season is about halfway through, we decided it’s an appropriate time to take a look back on how it’s gone so far.

As is tradition in Onward State season previews, our writers were overly optimistic about the outlook of the men’s basketball season. The return of competent starters and a fairly benign non-conference schedule was certainly reason to believe this team was capable of an NCAA Tournament run.

 When the team opened the season at home against Morgan State, the first-game jitters were apparent, but the squad was able to secure a victory.

 Then, two games later, the team dropped its first game of the season to UNC Charlotte in double overtime during the Charleston Classic.

No biggie!

 Not to worry! D.J. Newbill showed off his underrated talent in the loss, posting 35 points and eight rebounds.

Well done, sir!

The team improved to 10-1 following the loss, with wins over Southern Cal., Bucknell, Virginia Tech, and George Washington University.

Following the win, Penn State received votes in the Associated Press’ Men’s Basketball poll for the first time since January 2011.

Oh, word?

The squad ended its non-conference schedule with wins against Drexel and Dartmouth, and walked into Big Ten play with a 12-1 record and some serious swag.

The Nittany Lions faced their toughest opponent of the season on December 31 when the team travelled to Madison to take on then-No. 4 Wisconsin.

Sup?

The team promptly left Madison with a loss after sloppy ball handling and missed opportunities on the boards. 0-1 in B1G.

Nope.

 Up next? The team from New Jersey.

Ew.

Following a respectable game against the national title contending Badgers, it looked as if the Nittany Lions would get back on track against a mediocre Rutgers squad.

Penn State shot a spine-chilling 29 percent from the field, committed a ghastly 12 turnovers, and lost to the Scarlet Knights 50-46 to drop to 0-2 in the Big Ten.

*Shudders*

OK, so we didn’t take down that team to the east…no big deal, we’ve got a dismal Michigan team coming up that lost back-to-back games to New Jersey Institute of Technology (let that sink in for a second) and Eastern Michigan.

Slidin’ on into a win.

As my “esteemed” colleague wrote: “The only thing worse than being hopeless is having your hope dashed time and time again.” And dashed they were; Oh flaming bus, why do you do this to us? The Nittany Lions dropped to 0-3 in the B1G after a 73-64 loss to Michigan.

WHYYYYYYYYY

This team that had given false hope all season has finally shown its true colors. All hope is lost. ABORT, I REPEAT, ABORT!

But Zack, the season is only halfway through, you can’t give up hope yet! There’s so much more basketball to be played! Take a leap of faith!

OK, yeah I’ll keep watching this team for some reason. Oh, John Johnson got suspended? For conduct inconsistent with team standards and values, you say?

Whatever that means…

Penn State would next take on the Hoosiers of Indiana, where it would find any way possible to lose – this time in dramatic fashion. Down three with 4.7 seconds to go, Brandon Taylor pulled up on a fadeaway shot. IT’S GOOD! Nope, the ball left Taylor’s hands a half-second too late; Penn State loses 76-73.

Bruh

I now give you permission to abandon all hopes and dreams.

Maybe what this team needs is a little Bill Murray.

Next up is Purdue – a team coming into Happy Valley and having just lost two straight games.

We got ‘dis!

Despite a mind-blowing 37 points from D.J. Newbill the Lions somehow wound up in overtime with the Boilermakers where they eventually…

And there you have it! You’re all caught up on Penn State’s roller coaster of a season! Be sure to watch – or don’t, I don’t really care.

The 12-6 (0-5 B1G) Nittany Lions take on Michigan State tonight at 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Zack Rickens

is a senior broadcast journalism student minoring in procrastination. He hails from the booming metropolis of Harrisburg and can usually be found eating Suzie Wong egg rolls. He enjoys long walks to the Phyrst and is probably ranting about sports on Twitter (@slickrick717). He can be reached at [email protected].

State College Goodwill Sells Rare Lego Piece For Over $18,000

While it took some time for Goodwill experts to know what they had on their hands, initial offers for the piece came in at $30,000.

New Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Brings Key Wrinkles To Penn State Football’s Defense

“We try to keep things simple so we can play fast.”

Women’s History Month: Five Influential Penn State Alumnae

To celebrate Women’s History Month, learn more about five influential Penn State alumnae.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Zack

Ryky Smith’s Walkoff Single Completes Sweep Of Pitt

One at-bat was all Ryky Smith needed. The senior from York came in as a pinch runner and executed a perfect hit-and-run play in the bottom of the ninth to score Jim Haley from third and end the game in walk-off fashion, 8-7 in front of more than 1,000 fans at Medlar Field Wednesday night.

Nine-Run First Inning Boosts Baseball Past Kent State, 15-5

First Inning Runs Propel Penn State Baseball Over Bucknell