Talor Battle's Penn State basketball career -- brief as it may be -- has been forged in the fire of a tumultuous season.

Through the highs and lows of the schedule, Battle has emerged as a vital piece of the Nittany Lions' puzzle. The freshman guard has established himself as a legitimate force in Big Ten play.

But he's not doing it alone.

In each of the past four games, the Penn State men's basketball team has started four players who didn't play for the Lions last year. Freshmen Battle, forward D.J. Jackson and center Andrew Jones have teamed up with junior college transfer Stanley Pringle to provide a fresh look for Penn State.

Junior forward Jamelle Cornley, the team's leader in the locker room and fifth member of the starting lineup, has been pleased with the maturation of some of the underclassmen but continually demands more from them.

"I don't look at them as freshmen anymore," Cornley said. "When you play more than half the Big Ten conference, in my book, you're a sophomore. So now it's time for them to grow up."

Cornley said that he has been especially critical of Battle because he knows the young guard has as much potential as anyone in the country. The other players, he admits, are still raw in some areas but are getting better with time.

Lions coach Ed DeChellis has asked his players to take on increased roles in the absence of Geary Claxton, and he feels that they have adjusted well. Battle, in particular, has shown the ability to take over late in games and single-handedly carry Penn State to victories.

DeChellis said Battle is still at the disadvantage of having a "freshman body" -- since he hasn't had a full offseason of workouts -- but his mental approach to the game has greatly improved.

"At this point in time you've played so many games," DeChellis said. "Are you a freshman anymore? Yeah, by name, but you've played a lot of games and been through the fire."

Pringle has teamed up with Battle to become a formidable backcourt tandem. The two may lack experience at the Division I level, but in some cases that's a good thing, Pringle said.

Penn State basketball has suffered through some disappointing seasons recently, but having not been here for the down times, Pringle feels he offers a different perspective on things. He's not unfamiliar with losing, but he brings a positive outlook to the team.

"I've come from some teams that have lost before, so I know how it feels," Pringle said. "But it does kind of help because they see that I have a winning attitude. When we lose a game, it's just one loss."