Nittany Lions will redeem Big 10 Championship loss
Penn State really surprised me throughout the Big 10 Championship tournament. I did not think they would advance to the Championship game, nor did I think they would even come as close as they did. Although the final score might not indicate it, they actually played a very good game. Their first half performance clearly more impressive than their second, but they were playing against the eventual No. 1 overall seed in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Their loss was bittersweet, though, as they ended a decade long absence from the NCAA tourney.
You would think they wanted the NCAA berth more than the Big 10 Championship if you talked to Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis, who had this to say about the achievement, ?I prayed to the Lord to watch over our kids,? according to yorkdispatch.com.
They have a solid group and this was definitely one of those moral victories. The team proved they can hang, for the most part, in this tournament. The team should have their heads held high?this is just another case of a moral victory for an improving squad.
Senior guard Talor Battle will certainly be a difference maker and will lead the team to victory, divine intervention or not, as he averages 20 points per game on his own strength.
Penn State looked far better in their Championship weekend loss than oh, say, their second round opponents the Temple Owls.
The Owls lost to the Richmond Spiders 58-54. The boardwalk empire is starting to crumble following three-straight Atlantic 10 Conference Championships.
This is the type of loss that resonates for the remainder of the season.
"There were a lot of sad faces in the locker room," said senior Lavoy Allen, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds. "I would love to play tomorrow, but unfortunately we are not playing. We just have to put it behind us," according to the recap of Temple?s loss on ESPN.com.
Hopefully for DeChellis and the Nittany Lions, divine intervention will continue to give star guard Talor Battle enough strength to will the team to victory over the Lions?I think he?ll be just fine. DeChellis may have to up the ante and hope for all of his players to be given divine strength to advance deep into the NCAA tourney now that they?re in?but that may just be giving in to the March Madness.
You know you want more March Madness 2011 info, so do yourself a favor and get on top of your game! And be sure to print out your entire NCAA bracket to participate in all of the madness!
Danica Patrick Josie Maran Leighton Meester Dominique Swain Jamie Chung
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