Drew Jones knows his offense hasn't "clicked yet" this season. In Penn State's first seven contests, the 6-foot-10 junior has not scored double-digit points.
But Jones said he's not concerned.
Nittany Lions coach Ed DeChellis said if Jones focuses on being more active on the offense end, it will allow his tallest player to get going.
"My thing to him and some of our other post players is to defend, rebound and run," DeChellis said. "It's amazing how the ball will find you. If you try to score, it just never really works out that way. You've got to find your rhythm offensively."
Jones will have an opportunity to jumpstart his offense on Saturday in his native city as the Lions travel to Temple for a 4 p.m. matchup at the Liacouras Center. Temple (5-2) is ranked No. 14 in RPI. The Owls lost a one-point game to then-No. 19 Georgetown and own wins over NCAA Tournament hopefuls Siena and Virginia Tech.
Through seven games, Temple has been stout defensively, holding its opponents to 56 points a game. DeChellis said the Owls have athletic wing players that are tough to drive past. If Penn State's guards break that level, however, they will be faced by shotblockers Lavoy Allen and Michael Eric, who have a combined 15 blocks already this year.
DeChellis stressed the importance of having a game in Philadelphia each year because it's a crucial recruiting battleground for the team. Last season, the Lions played two games in the Philly Classic and in the 2007-08 season, Penn State played a road game at the Palestra against St. Joseph's.
Although the game will not be on television, he said the publicity generated by a game in Philadelphia is essential for the "face" of the program.
Jones downplayed his level of excitement of playing in front of his home crowd.
"My blood is pumping for every game. You just want to go out and win," he said. "We're playing against an NCAA Tournament team, a team that came into our place and beat us last year. So it's another check on our schedule that we have to go out there and get."
It's also another opportunity for Jones to get going.
At the end of last season, Jones' productivity was at a high. His 16 points and 14 rebounds were both career highs in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) semifinal game against Notre Dame. He scored double digits in three of the five NIT games for the Lions last season.
So far this year, Jones was held under five points in three of the Lions' seven games.
Fellow junior forward Jeff Brooks said his frontcourt mate has been effective on defense and rebounding, so the offense will come.
"My biggest piece of advice to Drew would be just to keep your head up and keep playing," Brooks said.
Jones said his goal is to get off to a fast start against Temple. Controlling the glass, running the floor and defending will all be keys to triggering his productivity, he said.
If the Lions want to win a school-record fifth consecutive road game, they may need Jones to play all out in front of what he expects to be rowdy, hostile Philly fans. Last season, three Owls scored over 10 points to lead them to a 65-59 victory.
Penn State will look to avenge that loss on Temple's home court.
"They came into our gym during a huge part of our season and beat us," Jones said. We haven't forgotten that. We just want to go in there and get it done."
