“To say things haven’t been looking good for the Penn State men’s basketball team would be an understatement.
“After starting the season 5-2, the Nittany Lions (6-9, 0-2 Big Ten) have lost seven of their last eight contests. In the team’s two most recent outings, it has fallen to Big Ten foes Michigan State and Minnesota by more than 20 points each.
“Oh yeah, and the Lions travel to play the top-ranked team in the country, undefeated Illinois (16-0, 2-0), tomorrow night.
“Sounds a little daunting, doesn’t it?
” ‘We’re still trying to climb the mountain one step at a time, one day at a time,’ Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis said yesterday at his weekly press conference.
” ‘When you have as many guys on the floor that have not played Big Ten basketball before [as his team has], you just have breakdowns. Athletically, we have breakdowns, and then mentally we have breakdowns.’
“Making matters worse, DeChellis said sophomore guard Marlon Smith will miss his second straight game tomorrow due to illness.
“The coach said the sophomore was doing better but there is still no timetable for his return.
“The loss of Smith only makes things tougher for the Lions.
” ‘He’s just a guy who can break you down with the dribble and get somebody else a shot,’ DeChellis said. ‘He helps you defensively because he knows what [the team is] doing on the floor.'”