Reality is quickly setting in for Ed DeChellis.

After a storybook introduction as the new Penn State basketball coach, DeChellis and his new program suffered its first setback when junior guard Sharif Chambliss ended weeks of speculation when he announced he will transfer to Wisconsin.

The announcement signaled the end of DeChellis's honeymoon and put into perspective the hard work that lies ahead.

"I would like to thank everyone at Penn State that supported me," Chambliss said in a prepared statement released Thursday. "I very much appreciate the support of the fans and I wish coach DeChellis and the team the best of luck season."

Chambliss will be able to use his final year of college eligibility during the 2004-2005 season. Also, because Chambliss is transferring within the Big Ten, he will not be eligible to receive any scholarship money.

Speculation about Chambliss' departure was in the air during this past season and simply added to the dismal mood around the team that finished 7-21. The rumors intensified after the Lions bowed out of the Big Ten tournament in March. There was hope that the departure of Jerry Dunn and the arrival of DeChellis would help keep Chambliss in the Blue and White, but no dice.

"I found out about it when everyone else did," fellow guard Brandon Cameron said. "I was surprised but it's his decision, he has to do what's best for him. I'm disappointed that he left but I support him."

The fact that Chambliss is staying in the conference is not lost on Cameron.

"It kind of bothers me," he said, "but it will just be that much sweeter when we beat them."

When Chambliss is finally eligible to play for the Badgers, he should be among their top three guards, with Devin Harris, one of this past season's top players on Wisconsin's Sweet 16 team, and heralded freshman Alando Tucker both improved by another year of competition.

The move to Wisconsin will signal a homecoming for Chambliss and the chance to fulfill a dream. He left the state back in 2000 out of Racine after the Badgers passed on him. Penn State gave him a chance to play in the Big Ten and he jumped.

After a less than memorable freshman campaign, Chambliss broke out his sophomore year and became a staple in the Nittany Lions' lineup on gamenight.

He led the Lions in scoring both this year and last and has been a consistent bright spot during two of the program's darkest seasons.

"We're going to miss him," Cameron said. "He always had so much enthusiasm. And personally, he helped me a lot this past season, showed me the ropes."