Lions’ cushion not big enough:
“STATE COLLEGE – Funny thing about intensity.
When you’ve got plenty of it, especially in the wacky world of major college basketball, things usually are pointing in a positive direction.
“When you don’t, or when it drops off considerably, that’s when the negative waves generally start crashing. Or so it seems.
“Well, intensity was the magic word being tossed around aplenty yesterday in the Bryce Jordan Center following a second-half cave-in during which Penn State turned a sizable lead into a 62-60 loss to an unbeaten Texas A&M; side making its first road start.
“For those befuddled members of Nittany Nation, Penn State (6-7) was leading by 17 points with 18:24 to play following two Marlon Smith free throws.
“That’s right, PSU was cruising with a 17-point cushion against an 11-0 Aggie club that was roasted by ESPN’s Doug Gottlieb Thursday night for its pastry-filled non-con schedule.
Five minutes later, the Nittany Lions’ lead stood at four (47-43).
“PSU’s intensity? Gone. Poof. Scurried off to the Creamery for a mid-afternoon pint of Peachy Paterno. “