Talor Battle has noticed a very different locker room for the Penn State men's basketball team -- the lockers of several former team fixtures have been filled by the team's newest members.
"The first day I got back we got to play pick-up and I was just looking at the locker room and I was surrounded," Battle said. "I've got (freshman guard) Tim (Frazier) here, (forward) Sasha (Boronjvak) here and (forward) Bill (Edwards) here. That was D-Mo's (Danny Morrissey) stand and down the line, you look around its just so different."
The team's freshmen are using the summer to get acclimated not only to their teammates, but life at Penn State. Though the team hasn't started preseason activities, the players have been working out and playing impromptu games all summer at the Bryce Jordan Center.
For the veteran players, the pick-up games are a way to see what the freshmen bring to the court. Having lost senior leaders in Jamelle Cornley, Stanley Pringle and Morrissey, seeing the freshmen play gives the returning players an idea what to expect for next season.
"Everybody's seeing how the new guys and younger guys play and we're having fun getting in shape," junior forward David Jackson said. "They've all been playing well in their own ways, they have their good days and they have the days where we beat up on them, but they have a bright future at Penn State."
Frazier said the sessions have been demanding, but it has been to the team's benefit. He will go into the season tagged as Battle's backup, and he is spending as much time as possible learning from Battle.
Being able to spend time with Battle on and off the court is an advantage for Frazier, who has been asking questions and watching how Battle carries himself in games, he said.
The freshmen players are looking forward to contributing and building on the team's success from last season. While they may not make an immediate impact during games, the freshmen will be able to push their teammates in practice.
"I think we can contribute as long as we keep playing hard in practice," freshman guard Jermaine Marshall said. "Hopefully we can get some playing time in games and help the older guys get better. Keep getting better everyday, that's the plan."
Junior forward Jeff Brooks said the games have been heated as the players are putting all their energy into competing with several players battling for time during preseason. Having competitive summer workouts will only help the freshmen mesh into the team, Jackson said.
Aside from working out and playing games, most of the players are taking classes and getting ready for preseason to begin. Being in State College this summer is especially beneficial to the freshmen, who get a feel for life at Penn State.
"They're learning the way around campus, learning what to do in class and things like that," Brooks said. "They're having a great time experiencing Penn State and they're fitting in great."
