Dunn reflects, looks forward to next year

By CRAIG KACKENMEISTER
Collegian Staff Writer

Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn walked into the media room at The Bryce Jordan Center yesterday with a relaxed look on his face, much different than the expressions he displayed during the long 1998-99 season.

The Nittany Lions finished with a 13-14, 5-11 Big Ten record, missing the National Invitation Tournament by one game. They had to win their first-round game against Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament to qualify for postseason play, but it didn't go as planned.

Penn State lost the game 54-44, ending the careers of seniors Calvin Booth and Dan Earl.

"Obviously it was a season of ups and downs," Dunn said. "The kids played hard and put themselves in positions to win."

On the bright side, the Lions will return three starters and four key reserves next season. They also have some key recruits coming in, including Jon Crispin, who is the younger brother of current guard Joe Crispin.

One of the bigger blows to the Lions was the medical redshirt of power forward Jarrett Stephens to a knee injury, suffered during last year's NIT. Stephens plans to return next season for his senior year.

"The return of Stephens makes us a better basketball team," Dunn said. "He's an inside presence that is tough to match up to."

The loss of Booth (15.3 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game and 95 blocks) and Earl (13.4 points per game and 111 assists) will force Dunn to find a way to replace one of the top shot-blockers in the nation and a floor leader.

Crispin probably will be the one to step into Earl's spot.

"Joe has to concentrate on making the other guys around him better," Dunn said. "When he does that it makes him better and he can become even more of a threat."

But there are still some questions on who will replace the inside presence of Booth. Dunn still has a positive outlook.

"From a coaches standpoint I hope to be better," Dunn said. "We have to develop a degree of toughness. Rebounding is the second most important factor and I see the team getting these things done next year."

But judging by the results in the NCAA Tournament, the conference will not be any easier next year.

"Both Ohio State and Michigan State have a good chance to get to the final game," Dunn said. "If you look at (Duke and Connecticut), they seem to match up well."

Dunn believes the results in the tournament could be motivational for next year's squad. Penn State had a number of tournament teams on its schedule and was successful against some of them, with wins against Temple, Villanova, Pennsylvania, George Mason, Purdue and Ohio State.

Said Dunn: "These guys can look at the games they were able to win and have something to build upon."