Before we move on to the more pertinent issues, a few updates are in order:
1. Justin King has announced he will be headed for the NFL next year effectively breaking the recent successful track record of Nittany Lions that stayed for their senior years (Paul Poz, Dan Connor). King will be the first entry into the NFL since LaVar Arrington was the second overall pick in 2000. That's 8 years of successfully retaining Nittany Lions which we should commend Joe Paterno and his staff Penn State junior cornerback Justin King has played his final game for the Nittany Lions. Terry Smith, King's stepfather and the head coach at Gateway High, told FightOnState.com and Scout.com that his son intends to enter the 2008 NFL Draft. ... "The decision was ultimately Justin's to make," Smith said. "We sat down as a family and discussed his options and we just felt the timing was right and it was time for him to move on to the next step in his life. "He notified [PSU defensive coordinator] Tom Bradley of his decision Tuesday," Smith continued. "He is out in Arizona at API right now, working out and preparing for the draft." Eventually King listened to the almighty dollar, but we are happy for all that he has given to Penn State and wish him the best of luck.
2. Penn State (10-5) put a hell of an effort against an equally improved Minnesota (12-3) squad in a 76-73 loss at the Bryce Jordan Center. The loss can be attributed to horrible free-throw shooting on Penn State's part allowing a 16 point lead to slip away with an 8-21 free throw shooting (38%) in the 2nd half. This is still a lot better than being blown out in every single game so I commend the Lion basketball team for a great effort.
Officials: Sid Rodeheffer, Dan Chrisman, Dwayne Gladden
Technical fouls: Minnesota-None. Penn State-None.
Attendance: 10934
Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total
Minnesota..................... 35 41 - 76
Penn State.................... 38 35 - 73
Points in the paint-MINN 32,PSU 30. Points off turnovers-MINN 24,PSU 11.
2nd chance points-MINN 3,PSU 9. Fast break points-MINN 8,PSU 14.
Bench points-MINN 29,PSU 8. Score tied-8 times. Lead changed-11 times.
Last FG-MINN 2nd-03:14, PSU 2nd-03:35.
Largest lead-MINN by 4 1st-09:59, PSU by 16 2nd-12:58.
Now on to the important stuff:
NittanyWhiteOut is a proud participant of the Big Ten Bloggers Power Poll run by fellow Big Ten blogger Gopher Nation. So without further ado, here is NittanyWhiteOut's Big Ten Bloggers Basketball Power Poll for the week of January 14th, 2008:
1. #10 Indiana (3-0): This is the real deal, a potential Final Four team with the way they are playing. They earned a closer-than-should-be win over rival Illinois, but because Illinois isn't fielding much of a squad this year, it is not as impressive as it actually sounds. The wins away at Iowa and Michigan are important because we all know how hard it is to earn a win away from home in the Big Ten.
Quality Wins: @Iowa, @Michigan
Bad Losses: none
2. #21 Wisconsin (3-0): This was a tough decision between Wisconsin and Michigan State. But Wisconsin managed to get the win against Iowa that Michigan State could not. So by default with the conference race just heating up, they take the early lead over the Spartans.
Quality Wins: @Michigan (+16)
Bad Losses: none
3. #6 Michigan State (2-1): Michigan State has more quality wins against Big 10 opponents especially against a Minnesota squad that is clearly much improved over last year, but with just 3 games into the season, their loss to Iowa puts them just a notch below Wisconsin which managed to beat the same Hawkeye team.
Quality Wins: Purdue, Minnesota
Bad Losses: @Iowa
4. Purdue (2-1): While the Boilermakers aren't making statistical noise, their win against the Buckeyes and Wolverines are impressive enough to put them just about the improved Golden Gophers squad. Even their 3 point away loss to the #6 ranked Spartans is quite impressive.
Quality Wins: Ohio State
Bad Losses: none
5. Minnesota (2-1): The Gophers are clearly improved from last year's dismal squad, but how good are they exactly? Even after a close win over a good Penn State team at the Bryce Jordan Center, we can't exactly say if they are a quality team ready for the Big Dance.
Quality Wins: @Penn State
Bad Losses: none
6. Ohio State (3-1): This is clearly not the Oden led team from last year, but at 3-1 they are in a prime position to make noise in the Big Ten.
Quality Wins: @Illinois, Iowa (+31)
Bad Losses: none
7. Penn State (2-1): Surprising 2-1 start to the Big Ten with 2 wins away from Bryce Jordan Center which hasn't happened in half a decade for the Lions basketball program. This squad is rising and if it wasn't for a dismal 31% free throw shooting in the second half against the Gophers, they would be sitting at 3-0 entering their match up with a top tier Wisconsin team.
Quality Wins: @Illinois
Bad Losses: none
8. Iowa (1-3): Iowa is one of those squads that can be just good enough to compete with the best in the Big Ten, or horrible enough to lose to the bottom feeders. This will be a rough year for Hawkeye fans.
Quality Wins: #6 Michigan State
Bad Losses: @Ohio State
9. Illinois (0-4): The Illini have fallen on hard times for a proud basketball program. This has not been a great month for Illini fans. They were humiliated on the West Coast in the Rose Bowl where they clearly did not belong and now an 0-4 start including a 3 game losing streak. That is unacceptable considering the incredible Orange Krush support they get at home.
Quality Wins: none
Bad Losses: Penn State
10. Michigan (1-3): Shockingly bad for a team that fired it's last coach and stole West Virginia's. Wolverine fans everywhere are hoping their inaugural year with a new Mountaineer head coach in football won't be as humiliating as basketball.
Quality Wins: none
Bad Losses: Wisconsin (-16)
11. Northwestern (0-4): Dismal, absolutely dismal once again.
Quality Wins: none
Bad Losses: @Minnesota (-19) |