You'd think they'd be sick of each other.

But after spending 37 minutes on the court each game, practicing, and handling press conferences, among other things, Penn State guards Ben Luber and Marlon Smith don't seem to mind each other's company. In fact, they enjoy it considering they decided to room together this year.

The guards shoulder the most experience as the only starters returning to the Penn State men's basketball team. The poised and mature sophomores were the two players who fielded questions from the media at the press conference held on media day. And they are the teammates who are expected to lead this Nittany Lions club that finished 9-19 last season.

It seems like a lot to ask from two kids who are a little more than a year removed from high school.

"I think everyone is going to be a leader," Smith said. "They're just a leader in different ways. I think Ben and I will be leaders on the floor as far as being floor generals."

Last season, Smith's 15.8 points per game in Big Ten play, which led the team in scoring and ranked among the top 10 in the conference, earned him a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Luber finished the season sixth in the Big Ten in assists, 13th in steals and 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio. His immediate impact on the Lions squad earned him Freshman All-American honorable mention accolades.

Quite a resume for a backcourt that has just one year under its belt.

"I'm trying to talk to [Smith and Luber] about more leadership things; leadership in the locker room, leadership on the floor," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "It's important for those two guys to step up because they are going to have the ball in their hands.

"They're enjoying their roles and their teammates."

And Smith and Luber are certainly enjoying the fact that there are more bodies on the bench than last year. They both admitted it would be nice to be able to take a breather during a game, something that was practically impossible with the lack of depth of last year's team.

Having the opportunity to play almost the entire 40 minutes of every game last season is something the guards are thankful for, but the wear and tear took a toll on Luber and Smith's bodies. Luber, the only true point guard on last year's roster, dropped 15 pounds in his rookie season only to put it back on in the first two weeks of the offseason. He's now up to 178, the biggest he's been. Luber and Smith's legs also took a beating last year and the fatigue began to affect their shots.

"Well last year, I have to admit I had a terrible year shooting," Luber said. "[During the offseason], I worked on it a lot and I feel real good about my shot."

Meanwhile, Smith traveled to Italy with the Big Ten touring squad in August, which finished with a 3-2 record.

Come Nov. 7, when Penn State opens with an exhibition game against East Stroudsburg, and later faces a slate of Big Ten competition, it will be the mentality, toughness and leadership among these roommates that will more than likely decide how well this Penn State team pulls together.