Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1998

Young guns

Lions, Hawkeyes to scrap in battle of frosh starters

By MATT DIFEBO
Collegian Sports Writer

It's really hard to find any similarities between the Penn State men's basketball team and the Iowa men's basketball team, except for one glaring factor -- freshman starters.

The Hawkeyes (15-4, 4-2 Big Ten), who face the Nittany Lions (9-7, 2-4) at 8 tonight at The Bryce Jordan Center, feature a freshman backcourt consisting of Ricky Davis and Dean Oliver. The Lions also feature freshmen the likes of point guard Joe Crispin and small forward Titus Ivory.

Penn State center Calvin Booth tries to back Michigan State's Antonio Smith into the paint last Saturday at The Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. The Lions will try to bounce back from their 71-59 loss to the Spartans when they host the Iowa Hawkeyes at 8 tonight in The Bryce Jordan Center. (Collegian Photo/Alex de Jesus - click for full size image)

Davis and Oliver have played key roles for the Hawkeyes. Davis, a candidate for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is averaging 14.4 points per game and Oliver has stockpiled a 9.2 average.

Against Minnesota this year, Oliver scored 13 points and had eight assists. Davis scored a team-high 14 points in a loss against Michigan State this year.

"Dean Oliver played better against Minnesota as the game went on and once he got settled down," said Hawkeye coach Tom Davis. "His confidence is improving each game."

One strength Iowa brings is its defensive press, and much of that is credited to the young, speedy backcourt.

"Iowa's press has been one of the staples of Tom Davis' system," said Lion coach Jerry Dunn. "They probably do the best job in the country. We have to prepare for that."

Balancing out a young backcourt is an experienced frontcourt. Forwards Ryan Bowen and Darryl Moore are the strength of the Hawkeyes, averaging 14.3 points per game and 8.2 points, respectively.

"Our seniors, Ryan Bowen and Darryl Moore, are the heart of the team," Davis said. "But our young guys have contributed, too."

As have Crispin and Ivory. Crispin has contributed nine points per game in a 24-minute per game average. Ivory has pestered opposing offenses with tight defense throughout the season.

And the Lion elders have produced as well.

"(Calvin) Booth has gotten better and better and is a great shot blocker," Davis said. "(Pete) Lisicky is also a very fine player. He is a true veteran who has had some big games against us."

And as a team, the Lions have played well in their last two games beating Northwestern 83-45 and losing a close one to Big Ten leader Michigan State 71-59.

"They neutralized Michigan State better than we did," Davis said in reference to his team's 78-57 loss to the Spartans this year. "They had a chance to win right down to the end, and that was at Michigan State."