I didn’t want to go to the Penn State men’s basketball game this past Saturday. I didn’t want to have to watch the Nittany Lions get clobbered on their home court on national television. ESPN was broadcasting the game, and I didn’t want to be there when its people were given a reason to never come back.

And I really didn’t want to write the game preview for Friday’s paper. What was I supposed to say that could make this game interesting with the Lions on a five-game losing skid and Illinois coming off an upset against 12th-ranked Wisconsin?

Even though that losing streak is now at six, I didn’t realize at the time that previewing tonight’s game against the Badgers was going to be even easier after all was said and done on Saturday.

So I called into last Thursday’s teleconference with Penn State men’s basketball coach Ed DeChellis to see what he had to say.

My opinion going in was rather grim. I expected to watch a 40-minute Illini highlight reel on Saturday, though I wasn’t about to tell that to DeChellis. Trust me, after this season, the man doesn’t need to be kicked when he’s already so down.

My question to DeChellis went something like this:

“Ed, do you think it’s a good thing that you’re playing Illinois on national television?”

Unfortunately, through the inadvertent inflection in my voice, DeChellis could tell what my prediction for the game was, and the tone of his answer confirmed his aggravation.

“I don’t know if you’re insinuating that we might not play well, and what’s that look like on TV…”

Sorry, Ed. Was it that obvious what I was suggesting?

I really don’t mean to bust on Eddie D. The guy’s achieved bobble-head status in his first year, I doubt even JoePa can claim that. And unlike the student fans of last season, who were calling for Jerry Dunn’s resignation, this year there is a small army of “Ed-Heads” who show up even through all the disappointing losses.

But this hasn’t made the season forgiving in any way. The coaching staff is doing as much as it can with the fewest possible resources and hasn’t seen an easy week for some time.

“…but in the same sense, we need exposure,” DeChellis continued to tell me. “I think it’s important for our fans. It’s important for our kids. We’re excited about playing on TV.”

The often-demoralized Lions are lucky to have a guy like this. Because on Saturday, Ed’s perpetual confidence finally found its way into the team. And it happened on the perfect day.

I don’t know what DeChellis fed the guys for breakfast that morning. I don’t know what he used for inspiration in the pre-game pep talk. I have no clue what made this game different.

But it was.

Jan Jagla didn’t force his shots, but rather found open teammates. The freshman backcourt of Ben Luber and Marlon Smith worked tirelessly to contain extremely talented Illini guards. Aaron Johnson pointed into the crowd after hitting a lead-changing three. Because, for the first time, there was actually a sixth man present in the BJC.

This game wasn’t embarrassing. It was highly respectable — and America had the chance to see it.

As a team, the Nittany Lions were getting their opponents into foul trouble and they absolutely owned the momentum throughout most of the game.

Well, they owned it until Illinois sophomore Dee Brown decided that he was going to single-handedly take it away.

At least he waited until the very last few minutes of the game to do it.

Brown’s barrage of three-pointers was the only reason the Illini escaped with the win. If you disagree with me on that, ask Illinois head coach Bruce Weber. He’ll tell you the same thing.

Lately, it’s been a hard road to travel for the Lions. When team confidence left, team criticism took center stage.

On Saturday, though, there was a spotlight on this stage and every Lions player wanted to be in it. They wanted to show to the entire country that there is actually a Div. I men’s basketball team in the middle of Pennsylvania. The Lions gave everyone in attendance and anyone tuning in on television a terrific weekend afternoon basketball game to watch.

The fact that the Lions lost, is almost the least important result. In just 40 minutes, the Penn State men’s basketball team made my prediction wrong and its coach’s positive outlook just right.

Somehow the blue and white stars aligned at the right time, and ESPN caught it all on tape.

Whether or not the Lions can continue to play like a team without having a lens focused on them remains to be seen. Tonight, they’ll have a chance to show that Saturday wasn’t a one-time fluke.

Madison, Wis. will be the proving ground and the No. 22 Badgers will be there to protect it.