In an interview with Andy Katz on BTN following Penn State’s second round win over Northwestern, junior guard Josh Reaves discussed the difficult period in January when he was suspended for four games due to “an academic concern.”

Great news: We get to see @jreaves23, and @PennStateMBB, at least one more time at MSG. pic.twitter.com/S2fobCaXh1

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) March 2, 2018

“It definitely took a toll on me, seeing my teammates out there, and knowing I was the reason for it.” Reaves said. The Nittany Lions took just one of the four games that Reaves missed, all against Big Ten opponents that the team had a chance of winning if at full strength.

“I could have done a better job. I felt like I let a lot of people down, and I hate disappointing people,” Reaves continued. “I was working my hardest to get back out there with my teammates. I felt how hard they have my back when I ran back on the court against Ohio State.”

Reaves was personally driven to Columbus after being cleared and his suspension was lifted. He returned just in time to help the Nittany Lions complete the first of two upsets over the top-ranked Buckeyes.

The team’s up and down year has seesawed it between the NCAA Tournament bubble and another season without postseason action following the conference tournament. At this point, all the Nittany Lions can do is win to keep their season alive, and Reaves wants to do it for the seniors who are on their last ride.

“At this point it isn’t about me, it’s what we are doing for Julian [Moore] and Shep [Garner],” Reaves said. “We are trying to do everything to keep their careers alive.”