Looks can be deceiving in regards to cagers' season

Hi. I am Tiger Woods. Didn't fool you, did I?

This season is a good one for Nittany Lion basketball. Think I'm crazy? Nothing I haven't been told before. Just hear me out.

If you haven't noticed -- and judging by home attendance you haven't -- the basketball team has played 100 times better the last four games than the first 14. The Lions still lose but have gained more confidence with each close loss. The closer they come to winning, the more confident they get.

Right now, a little more confidence will go a long way.

Consider the season over. Shouldn't be too difficult. Now you can watch an infantile Lion squad develop in front of your eyes. Remember, the Lion future rests in the hands of sophomore Jarrett Stephens and freshmen Greg Stevenson and Ryan Bailey.

Since inheriting the starting role, Stephens has added power and punch to the Lion offense. He scored 15 points in his first start against Indiana and has pieced together two straight 20-plus point performances since.

Stephens brings to Penn State what Phil Williams hasn't -- a quick, agile body that can finish around the rim. Williams is one of Penn State's best defenders, but he's an offensive liability. More than that, Williams doesn't have the spunk and on-court charisma of Stephens. If Stephens adds a jump shot to his arsenal by next year, team's won't be able to double- and triple-team Pete Lisicky like they have this year.

Senior forward Rahsaan Carlton will never live up to his high school billing, partly because he lacks consistency, partly because of injuries. It's tough to miss a year and come back strong. But Carlton hasn't put together three straight solid games in his Lion career.

Stevenson, on the other hand, may be the most athletic Lion on the squad. His flamboyant free throw routine and penchant for rebounding over stronger players as a freshman represents a successful Lion future and more than Carlton has done in his career.

Lion coach Jerry Dunn keeps reminding us Calvin Booth is just a sophomore. It sounds like bad excuses for Booth's subpar season, but Dunn has a point. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. You can put Booth in the paint, but you can't make him score.

The education Bailey is getting will last forever. Give Bailey credit for controlling this team as a freshman. Because Lisicky is the only offensive threat outside the paint, the Lion offense works slowly to free him. It's a slow, yet very disciplined offense, requiring maximum ball protection.

Bailey has done that well. Next year, as Dan Earl's backup, will give Bailey a chance to watch what goes on when he isn't in the game. And give him time to work on that jump shot.

Picture next season's starters. Compare it to last season's team. Next season, the Lions will be led by Earl and Lisicky, arguably the nation's best backcourt. Stevenson and Stephens will be the forwards. Stevenson should be better than Glenn Sekunda by the end of his career, and Stephens will supply the power and leadership that left with Matt Gaudio. Booth, scoring or not, will always be an intimidator in the paint. And Titus Ivory will get to show his 3-point skills as Lisicky's backup.

If Earl played this season, Penn State would have been better, but not much. The Lions wouldn't have finished in the top three.

The Lions clearly miss Sekunda and Gaudio's experience. That's why this season may be a blessing in disguise. It's a developmental season for the Lions. Next year, expect bigger and better things -- like a tournament spot.

And you thought this season was worthless. Told you I'd fool you.