“Not until inside the final minute last night was I convinced Penn State really was going to beat their 8-year nemesis, the Wisconsin Badgers. And at halftime, I thought there was absolutely no chance. It looked like the same ol’ same ol’ we’ve seen so many times up there.
“But there really is a certain edge about this team you couldn’t see after the horrific losses to Maryland and Maine. Jeff Brooks has played great all season. Talor Battle has been his normal mercurial self. But I think the growing confidence of Drew Jones and Tim Frazier has made all the difference.
“Jones just took over on the boards in the second half against Wisconsin; he was the most physical presence in the game. Drew’s problem has always been his assertiveness and self-belief. Increasingly, those qualities have become assets as he learns he’s as good as any big man in the Big Ten at doing what he does best — rebounding in traffic.
“Battle not only made shots but pulled down a couple of defensive boards late in the game that symbolized his toughness. I can say that everyone who’s covered Battle for any stretch of time is pulling for this kid to finally see an NCAA tournament. He so deserves it.
“Brooks made perhaps the biggest shot of the game — that 3-pointer in the second half where he hesitated for a moment and then thought, OK, you’re gonna give me this, I’ll take it. Huge shot, put Lions up four and changed the flow, put Bucky on the defensive.
“These guys are sick of being pushed around….”
via Sunday morning coffee impressions on Penn State | PennLive.com.