The impressive play of walk-on Aaron Johnson has continued for the Penn State men's basketball team.

The play of sophomore forward Jan Jagla has continued to be inconsistent.

Questions have begun to circulate around the team of when Johnson will be inserted into the starting lineup.

Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn, the man whose decision it ultimately is doesn't expect it to happen anytime soon. Dunn said it doesn't matter to him who is in the starting lineup but who is playing the majority of minutes. This past Saturday against the Boilermakers, Johnson played 30 minutes coming off the bench and Jagla played 27 minutes of action before fouling out.

"Aaron Johnson brings us a lot off the bench," Dunn said. "He's done a nice job coming off the bench. If you look at what people bring to the table. He brings a lot when he comes in, in terms of energy ... I like him in the role that he's playing."

Johnson turned in a career high in both rebounds (12) and points (20) against Purdue. Of his 12 rebounds, seven of them came at the offensive end of the floor, either keeping a possession alive or tipping the ball into basket. Time and again Johnson made big basket after big basket for the Nittany Lions, including a twisting lay-up in the lane with 2:55 seconds remaining to tie the game at 74.

While Johnson sizzled from the floor connecting on 7-for-9 field goals, Jagla could never get into the flow of the game as he misfired on 6-of-7, and only took two shots in the second half.

In the second half, Jagla seemed not to be able to do anything right as he picked up all five fouls and couldn't slow the progress of the Boilermakers' forward Chris Booker, who netted 14 second-half points. But Dunn continues to remain supportive of his 7-footer, and sees Jagla like a young Calvin Booth.

"Let's put it this way: Jan Jagla is a developing player," Dunn said. "He's not a pro, he's not close to being a pro, yet ... You have to be patient with these guys, they are still young kids. I'm not going to give up on him."

After a tough early adjustment period for Johnson when he had to learn both the scout team's plays as well as Penn State's plays, he has come a long way. "He's done a tremendous job," senior point guard Brandon Watkins said. "I told you from day one he is a beast, and that the boy can play. He's a battler." The one area of Johnson's game where he struggled was at the free throw stripe. He went 6-for-10, but missed only one in the second half.

Johnson never doubted himself that he would be able to play at this level.

"The moment I stepped foot I knew I could play in the Big Ten," Johnson said. "I am going to have doubters, I am going to have bad games ... It's taken me a while to get where I'm at, but I am going to have to keep improving."

Thus far he is proving to everyone that he can play.