Centre Daily Times | 01/05/2006 | Nittany Lions face first tough test:
“It is time for the young members of the Penn State men’s basketball team to show what they have learned.
“It is time for the first big exam.
“After feasting on numerous opponents who were decidedly inferior, the Nittany Lions will face their first ranked opponent of the season at 8 p.m. today when they visit No. 18 Ohio State in the Big Ten opener for both schools.
“‘We’re looking forward to Ohio State and these next few days we’re going to have to just work hard in practice,’ sophomore Geary Claxton said after Saturday’s 65-53 win over Mount St. Mary’s. ‘We have to get ready for that.’
“There is much for the team to prepare for, including a bigger team, a road game for just the third time this season and an undefeated opponent.
“Penn State (8-3) is off to its best start since the 2000-01 season, but all of those wins have come at the expense of teams with losing records. The team has lost both of its road games this season.
“Now comes the Big Ten, where everyone is above .500 and where the Nittany Lions have struggled. Penn State is just 9-55 in conference regular season play over the last four season and have lost all 32 tries on the road. …”