Centre Daily Times | 03/12/2006 | Nittany Lions state case for NIT berth:
“The 2001 Penn State men’s basketball team has been mentioned several times this season, mainly because the current group of Nittany Lions is doing things that hadn’t been done since Joe Crispin, Titus Ivory and Gyasi Cline-Heard led an inspired run to the Sweet 16.
“Four road wins. Six conference wins. A winning record.
“A reason to gather together on Selection Sunday.
“Tonight, Penn State will wait and see if its 15-14 season will continue in the National Invitation Tournament. The 40-team bracket will be announced at 9 p.m. on ESPNU, the first time in the NIT’s 69-year history the selections will be televised live.
“After Friday’s 63-56 loss to seventh-ranked Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, the Nittany Lions finally allowed themselves to state their case for the postseason.
” ‘I’m not done playing,’ said Penn State coach Ed DeChellis. ‘I know our kids aren’t. I just hope we get an opportunity to continue to play.’ …”