USA TODAY’s Jack Carey takes a look at some of the personalities, issues and games to watch as the season tips off.
Step up:
Penn State hopes to be the next program that can translate success in the NIT into an NCAA tournament appearance.
The Nittany Lions won the NIT in April, giving the football school its first basketball championship in any national tournament. Along the way, they set a school record with 27 victories.
“We’re never really satisfied. We want to make the NCAA tournament. We want to win the Big Ten championship,” coach Ed DeChellis said. “Expectations are good … I want our fans to have expectations.”
The last time Penn State made the NCAAs was in 2001, when the Lions reached the Sweet 16. All-Big Ten point guard Talor Battle is back to help lead this season’s charge.
via Penn State hopes NIT win portends NCAA trip – USATODAY.com.