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Big Ten: Penn State Looking For More Improvement

ByAJ King|
Mar 2, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tim Frazier (23) holds the ball as Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) guards during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 71-66. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Mar 2, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tim Frazier (23) holds the ball as Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) guards during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 71-66. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

The Penn State Nittany Lions enter the 2014-15 season after an overachieving season that saw them finish 16-18, losing to Siena in the CBI quarterfinals.

Penn State has long been the laughing stock of the Big Ten, finishing in last place in three of the last five seasons. However, fortunes seem to be changing in State College, Pa., under fourth-year head coach Pat Chambers.

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After winning just two Big Ten games in 2012-13, Chambers got that win total to six last season and has some help on the way.

Recruiting site 247sports.com has the Nittany Lions ranked fourth in the 2015 Big Ten recruiting rankings.

They welcome four-star power forward Mike Watkins, a local product from Philadelphia’s Math Civics and Sciences Charter School. It is continually important that Chambers and his staff keep top talent from Pennsylvania’s major urban areas to develop school and state pride in the program.

Penn State also branched out of the region in the 2015 recruiting class, bringing in Josh Reaves, another four-star prospect from legendary Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is the top rated player from the state, according to ESPN, and is described as a “do it all dynamo” by 247sports.com.

Reaves should make an impact as soon as he gets to campus.

As for 2014-15, the Nittany Lions are looking to keep improving and figure to be in the mix for an NCAA tournament bid. Returning senior guard D.J. Newbill, another Philadelphia product, will have the duty of leading a relatively experienced group.

Newbill was second in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.8 points per game, and was named second team All-Big Ten in 2013-14.

Jan 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Aaron Craft (4) gets called for a blocking foul against Penn State Nittany Lions guard DJ Newbill during the second half of the game at Schottenstein Center. The Penn State Nittany Lions won in the game in overtime 71-70 over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Aaron Craft (4) gets called for a blocking foul against Penn State Nittany Lions guard DJ Newbill during the second half of the game at Schottenstein Center. The Penn State Nittany Lions won in the game in overtime 71-70 over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

The senior guard participated in the Kevin Durant Skills Academy and the LeBron James Skills Academy over the offseason and should be in the discussion for first team Big Ten honors in the upcoming campaign.

Senior guard John Johnson and junior center Jordan Dickerson will give the Nittany Lions a formidable front and back court for the long haul of Big Ten play. If Penn State can knock off one or two ranked teams at home in conference play, it’s not inconceivable that they could play on March’s biggest stage at the end of the season.