It's not much to write home about.

But it is something that gives some hope about this Penn State men's basketball team.

A 2-4 record over its last six games is far from sparkling, but you can see a flashing light in the distance.

Sure, one of their four losses includes an 85-69 thrashing at home by James Madison, but the team made major strides over the past two weeks. After the humiliating loss to the Dukes, the Nittany Lions rebounded with a win over Bucknell and a first-round win over Coppin State 66-49 in the California Golden Bear Classic.

Here is when the trip started to get interesting.

The Lions, trailing by eight at halftime, battled back on California's home court to tie the game on a Sharif Chambliss three-pointer with 1:27 to go. The Golden Bears were able to hold off Chambliss and company on the strength of a Dennis Gates three-pointer with just four seconds left to win 76-73. Chambliss, along with Brandon Watkins, was named to the All-Tournament Team.

One might think that every dog has its day and that day was meant for the Lions.

Not so fast my friend.

Three days later the Lions returned home for their Big Ten opener against Michigan. Most bad teams would rollover in this situation, especially in front of an empty gym, but this team again fought back from an eight-point halftime deficit just again to get nipped 67-63.

For a team that earlier this season was getting ripped by double digits more frequently than Allen Iverson changes hairstyles, two narrow defeats to solid basketball teams are steps in the right direction.

With experience comes victories in close games and this team just doesn't have that experience. Tyler Smith has that experience and Jerry Dunn has that experience, but outside of them there are team managers who have been in more tight game situations.

Perhaps the Lions most gratifying and heartbreaking loss this break came in Bloomington, Ind., in famed Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers, who have long been a thorn in the side of the Lions had won the last nine meetings between the two teams and led the overall series 17-1.

The Lions started quick, opening a 22-8 lead and shocking the crowd. The Hoosiers battled back to trail by just four at the half. The Lions hung tight with the more talented Indiana team and the score was tied at 54 with just 1:15 remaining. But once again inexperience cost the Lions as they committed three turnovers in the last 1:15 to lose the game 61-54. Chambliss had another huge game, knocking down 5-for-6 from three-point land and leading all scorers with 20 points.

The light at the end of the tunnel has been seen and it looks like a sophomore has spotted it first. Sharif Chambliss has started to play some real big basketball and is shooting 50 percent from downtown.

Coach Jerry Dunn looks to have found a lineup he is more comfortable with and has energized the team with three true freshmen seeing significant time.

For a team that once looked like it would roll over, it looks like they have turned the corner and with time and luck some Big Ten wins do look possible.

And that would be something to write home about.