By JON GERARDI
A snub by the NCAA Tournament left Penn State’s men’s basketball team deflated, but that disappointment ignited a run to Madison Square Garden and an eventual NIT championship.
Penn State assistant coach Dan Earl hopes that success will continue into the 2009-10 season, which tips off tonight at 6 with an exhibition game against Slippery Rock.
Earl talked about the looming season Thursday night at the Williamsport Nittany Lion Booster Club meeting at the VFW in Duboistown.
“I think you go into every year wanting to make the NCAA tournament. Going into last year that was our goal, and this year that’s our goal,” said Earl, who is entering his fifth season as an assistant after starring as a point guard at Penn State. “Having looked back at (the NIT), for where we’re at as a program and the steps that we’re taking, I think it was actually more beneficial. You take all that into account, and I’d go with (winning) the NIT championship. Having said that, we want to go to the NCAA tournament this year.”
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