Read on Twitter
I’ve barely tweeted anything about PSU hoops for some time now, but these lovable players have forced my hand. Please excuse me on your TL as I have some #takes to fire off.
TBH, I’ve just been checked out. Between COVID absurdity and this disgusting AD, I had too much cynicism to give a shit about this year. But it’s become increasingly obvious maintaining that attitude will be a grave mistake.
For all their flaws and lack of size, Penn State’s an NCAA-worthy team, especially in this dogshit year of college hoops. They’ve played the toughest schedule in the country. 8 of their 13 games played are Q1.
They’re currently ranked 29 in the NET, 36 on KenPom, 25 on Torvik, all legit marks despite a 6-7 record. They’ve only been non-competitive in games against Illinois x2 (a horrible matchup) and Purdue after a 2.5-week COVID pause.
They should’ve beat Seton Hall and Indiana, nearly won at Michigan and at Ohio State. Any talk of this team’s losing record being a non-starter should be discredited as the trash take it is in this unprecedented year.
Literally nobody saw this team absolutely wax Va Tech, because it was on ESPNU during the BT/ACC challenge. A ranked VT team that has beaten Villanova and Virginia. It was as impressive a performance I’ve ever seen from this program.
Now that PSU’s back in the swing of things, they’re improving what had been their fatal flaws. The defense will never be a strength, but if they keep limiting fouls and can rebound opponents’ misses, they’re really hard to beat.
I am tweeting all of this, simply because someone has to. Look past the school’s name and the losing record, and you’ll find a very intriguing bunch. Yes, there’s some obvious weaknesses, but there’s also one of the best backcourts in the country.
Find a way to appreciate their run at an NCAA bid over the next two months, because if history is any indication, this could be the best it gets for a while. Yes that’s pathetic, but it’s the brutal truth.
It’d be tragic if they don’t play one NCAA tournament game after a decade-long run on Philly players. But don’t take for granted that we can flip on the TV any night and watch PSU with an actual shot of beating anyone in the Big Ten.
It’s likely all over once this season ends. After how PSU scapegoated Chambers and shuffled him out the door on the eve of football, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect any of his players to stay, especially if they can transfer freely without sitting.
If they all leave, what should be an attractive Big Ten job will be avoided like its the VID by respectable candidates. They’ll then underpay for another boring, unproven hire and PSU will get its brains beaten in for the next 5 years.
Thanks for nothing @SandyB_PSUAD
