I think the Big Ten owes Penn State an apology. The Nittany Lions were 22-11 (10-8 in conference play) last year come Selection Sunday, and the Committee left them at home. And I have little doubt that a perception of the league (much of it deserved) played into that. Whether it was years of mediocrity, slow play, or heck, even some revenge for Jim Delaney’s constant meddling with the BCS, Penn State was a team that probably would have gone dancing had they been in some other power conference. It seems crazy to think about now, but pundits were calling the Lions’ road win at the Breslin Center a “bad win.” That’s right – beating the National Runner Up at their own place is somehow less deserving than squeaking out a one point victory over a Wyoming team that went 7-9 in the Mountain West. Consider it punishment for the league as a whole.
Give Penn State credit, however. After receiving the disappointment that they were headed for the NIT, all the Nittany Lions did was go out and win the whole thing. And frankly, most of the games weren’t that close, with the exception of the opening victory over George Mason. After the title game, senior Jamelle Cornley lifted his tournament MVP trophy and waved to the fans, creating a scene that summed up his entire career. Cornley was too short for his position, but he always outworked most guys on the floor. From a statistical perspective, he was a capable if unspectacular rebounder, and very good scoring inside the arc. In his senior year, he even developed an outside shot, making 38% of his 50 three point attempts.
Read it all: Big Ten Geeks: Penn State Recap of the 08-09 Season.