Critics will criticize, fans will complain and the Penn State men's basketball team will not pay attention.

Penn State coach Jerry Dunn said that criticism comes with the territory, but that he is focused on what he can control.

"I'm focused on preparing the team," Dunn said. "I must remain solid for them, but I can't change the way people think."

Dunn added that he could understand outsiders getting frustrated with his team's performance. He continued that he doesn't expect everyone to understand all the situations that go on.

Even the youth on the team remains optimistic and tunes out the nay-sayers. Freshman DeForrest Riley has faced a similar scenario when he was in high school in Louisiana. Riley's team won only seven games and dropped 20-plus games. In the two following seasons, Riley's team made it to the Louisiana Final Four.

"Sometimes you have to get down before you get up," Riley said. "The future looks good. I'm still confident in my class that we will turn it around in the coming seasons."

The Nittany Lions are off to their worst conference start in the school's 11-year history at 0-5. However, Riley is still glad with the decision he made to come to Penn State. He knows that some of the blame will fall on Dunn, but it's not all his fault.

"It's easy to stand outside when you're not out on the battlefield," he said.

"Some blame will come on his shoulders, but he is not the one turning the ball over."

Tate sighting

For the first time since mid-December when he took a leave of absence from the team, Jamaal Tate joined his Lion teammates on the bench against Illinois on Saturday.

Dunn is uncertain about Tate's status.

"He's trying to work himself back," he said. "He continues to see physicians and is doing things with our team doctor."

Dunn doesn't know how much Tate has been able to improve in his six-week absence, if at all. He doesn't want to speculate on a possible return.

Tate averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in the five games this season.

Shooting blanks

The Lions counted on scoring last season from Sharif Chambliss. The start of conference play has been anything but kind to Chambliss.

He is averaging only 11.8 points per game and is shooting slightly under 30 percent from downtown. Chambliss shot 3-for-14 from three against the Illini and scored 11 points.

Dunn sees it as a simple problem.

"He's had open looks," Dunn said. "He's just not making shots."

Part of Chambliss' shooting woes could be attributed to the death of his aunt late last week. He didn't start against the Illini.

Despite being the only Lion in double-digits against Michigan State he only shot 3-for-9 from the field.

Riley thinks that Chambliss is due for a break-out game and that he'll be fine.

"I'm still confident in his ability," Riley said.