After the disastrous Northwestern road loss in late February, the players were confident. Even after Penn State dropped three of its last four going into the postseason conference tournament, the players held their heads high. They were still sure they would get an NCAA berth after losing a 20-point halftime lead to Ohio State on Senior Day. Everyone counted them out, except themselves.
It was the same confidence and positive attitude the Lions had all season that propelled them to a shocking appearance in the Sweet 16. Penn State basketball not only had the students rioting and fans cheering, but the Lions set a new standard for what is expected in Happy Valley: A basketball squad that can produce every season and put a sport other than football on the map at Penn State.
"It's been a great ride for myself and the seniors," Penn State guard Titus Ivory said after the team lost to Temple in the Sweet 16. "We didn't get what we wanted to accomplish, but at the same time we accomplished more than we were supposed to. We gave it our best effort."
That is the same attitude the new crop of Lions will have to bring to next season. Penn State has to build on what it accomplished and use the Sweet 16 as a goal, just as these Lions used a bid to the NCAA Tournament as a goal.
Almost no one expected them to get past Providence in the first round. Beating North Carolina in the round of 32 was almost a joke.
But now with one of the best players in Penn State history departing in Joe Crispin, much improved big man Gyasi Cline-Heard heading out and Ivory moving on, the Lions have to start all over again. Two starters return, Jon Crispin and Tyler Smith, but they combined for only 15 points and seven rebounds this season.
This season's bench players, used to watching almost 30 minutes or more of the game from the sidelines, must get themselves prepared for the grueling season if the Lions plan to be successful come next season. Six-foot guard Brandon Watkins and guard Sharif Chambliss will be called on for backcourt duties while 6-foot-10 Marcus Banta, swingman Jamaal Tate, Ndu Egekeze and B.J. Vossekuil will be expected to produce in the frontcourt.
"It takes years to build a successful tradition," guard Jon Crispin said. "But this is definitely a step in the right direction for the program."
With next season's recruiting class being a nice mixture of inside players and small forwards, Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn, whose contract status is still unknown, will have another chance to keep gaining respect in the Big Ten.
However, there still are question marks revolving around next season's team. Who will take over the scoring responsibilities? Who is going to be the dominant inside player? Whether it was Calvin Booth, Jarrett Stephens or Cline-Heard in years past, Penn State has always had a frontcourt player who was a threat. Next season, Dunn might find that to be a problem if no one fills the slot in the off-season.
Joe Crispin said Banta and Egekeze might be the focal points down low, but a lot of off-season work is in store for them both. Whether it is getting in the weight room to get stronger or on the court to polish inside moves, Crispin said being a starter in the post is much different than coming off the bench for a few minutes.
"It's going to be tough because they're going to have to put in serious work," he said. "They have to get a lot stronger and much more physical."
Crispin added that Tyler Smith will be more of an inside force since he was almost relegated to the perimeter this past season. Smith will be the only returning frontcourt player, so he must be called on to provide leadership and experience to the younger big men who have less game experience.
Next season's guard corps will have to come up big also. Ivory and Crispin will be watching the team on television. Watkins, Jon Crispin and others are going to have to find a way to not only defend the Big Ten backcourts, but also provide most of the scoring for Penn State's offense. Jon Crispin might have an easier time getting shots since Ivory's and his brother's shots are coming to him now.
Although Crispin said he knows Watkins will be up to the challenge of leading the Lions in 2001-2002, Crispin said he needs to work on his outside shooting but, more importantly, has to get people involved.
"He was a spark plug this season," Crispin said. "The thing he has to work on most for next season is getting everyone involved."
For the Lions to be successful, everyone must be involved. The coaches, starters and substitutes must all fill their roles. Most everyone will question the inside game of the Lions — again — and where the scoring will come from in the backcourt.
But just like this season, next year's Lions have the capability and skill to prove people wrong. Things could definitely be sweet in Happy Valley again.
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