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This article is about the men's basketball team at Pennsylvania State University. For the women's basketball team, see Penn State Lady Lions basketball.
Penn State Nittany Lions
2019–20 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team
UniversityPennsylvania State University
Head coachPat Chambers (9th season)
ConferenceBig Ten
LocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
ArenaBryce Jordan Center
(capacity: 15,261)
NicknameNittany Lions
Student sectionLegion Of Blue
ColorsBlue and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Final Four
1954
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1942, 1954
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1952, 1954, 1955, 2001
NCAA tournament appearances
1942, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1965, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2011
Conference tournament champions
Atlantic 10: 1991
Conference division season champions
Eastern Collegiate League West: 1977

The Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team is a NCAA Division I college basketball team representing the Pennsylvania State University. They are a member of the Big Ten Conference and play home games at the 15,261-seat Bryce Jordan Center, moving there from Rec Hall during the 1995–96 season. Their student cheering section is known as the Legion Of Blue.

The program has nine NCAA tournament appearances with its best finish coming in 1954, reaching the Final Four. Its most recent appearance was in 2011, when the team lost to the Temple Owls in the round of 64. The program also has 11 appearances in the National Invitation Tournament, with the most recent being in 2018, when they beat Utah to win the NIT championship. They also won the NIT championship in 2009.

Current coaching staff

Position Name Year Alma mater
Head coach Patrick Chambers 2011 Philadelphia University (1994)
Associate Head Coach Keith Urgo 2011 Fairfield University (2002)
Assistant Coach Kevin Freeman 2018 University of Connecticut (2000)
Assistant Coach Jim Ferry 2017 Keene State (1990)
Director of Basketball Operations Ross Condon 2011 Villanova University (2007)
On Campus Recruiting Coordinator Nicholas Colella 2015 Penn State (2013)
Athletic trainer Jon Salazer 2001 Penn State (1993)
Director of Player Development David Caporaletti 2011 Philadelphia University (1993)
Strength and conditioning coach Greg Miskinis 2009 Penn State (2008)

Coaching history

Coach Years Seasons Record Pct. Cnf. Record Pct. Cnf. Titles Nat. Titles
No coach 1897–1915, 1917–1918 20 131–65–1 .668 0
Burke M. "Dutch" Hermann 1916–1918, 1919–32 15 148–73 .716 0
Hugo Bezdek 1919 1 11–2 .846 0
Earl "The Spike" Leslie 1933–36 4 29–28 .509 0–10 .000 0 0
John Lawther 1937–49 13 150–93 .617 17–13 .567 0 0
Elmer Gross 1949–54 5 80–40 .667 0
John Egli 1954–68 14 187–135 .581 0
Johnny Bach 1968–78 10 122–121 .502 9–11 .450 0 0
Dick Harter 1978–83 5 79–61 .564 13–11 .564 0 0
Bruce Parkhill 1983–95 12 181–169 .517 82–116 .414 1 0
Jerry Dunn 1995–2003 8 117–121 .492 45–87 .341 0 0
Ed DeChellis 2003–2011 8 114–138 .452 41–95 .301 0 0
Pat Chambers 2011–present 9 148-150 .497 56-110 .337 0 0
Totals 1897–present 117 1497–1196–1 .556 263–453 .367 1 0

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Nittany Lions have appeared in the NCAA Tournament nine times. Their combined record is 9–11.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1942 Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place Game		 Dartmouth
Illinois		 L 39–44
W 41–34
1952 Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		 Kentucky
NC State		 L 54–82
L 60–69
1954 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd Place Game		 Toledo
LSU
Notre Dame
La Salle
USC		 W 62–50
W 78–70
W 71–63
L 54–69
W 70–61
1955 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		 Memphis State
Iowa
Kentucky		 W 59–55
L 53–82
L 59–84
1965 First Round Princeton L 58–60
1991 #13 First Round
Second Round		 #4 UCLA
#12 Eastern Michigan		 W 74–69
L 68–71 OT
1996 #5 First Round #12 Arkansas L 80–86
2001 #7 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #10 Providence
#2 North Carolina
#11 Temple		 W 69–59
W 82–74
L 72–84
2011 #10 First Round #7 Temple L 64–66

NIT results

The Nittany Lions have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 11 times. Their combined record is 27–9. They were NIT champions in 2009 and 2018.

Year Round Opponent Result
1966 First Round San Francisco L 77–89
1980 First Round Alabama L 49–53
1989 First Round
Second Round		 Murray State
Villanova		 W 89–73
L 67–76
1990 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		 Marquette
Maryland
Rutgers
Vanderbilt
New Mexico		 W 57–54
W 80–78
W 58–55
L 62–75
W 83–81
1992 First Round Pittsburgh L 65–67
1995 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		 Miami (FL)
Nebraska
Iowa
Marquette
Canisius		 W 62–56
W 65–59
W 67–64
L 79–81
W 66–62
1998 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		 Rider
Dayton
Georgia Tech
Georgia
Minnesota		 W 82–68
W 77–74
W 77–70
W 66–60
L 72–79
2000 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		 Princeton
Siena
Kent State
Notre Dame
NC State		 W 55–41
W 105–103
W 81–74
L 52–73
W 74–72
2006 Opening Round Rutgers L 71–76
2009 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		 George Mason
Rhode Island
Florida
Notre Dame
Baylor		 W 77–73 OT
W 83–72
W 71–62
W 67–59
W 69–63
2018 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		 Temple
Notre Dame
Marquette
Mississippi State
Utah		 W 63–57
W 73–63
W 85–80
W 75–60
W 82–66

CBI results

The Nittany Lions have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) once. Their record is 1–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2014 First Round
Quarterfinals		 Hampton
Siena		 W 69–65
L 52–54

Statistical Leaders

See also: Penn State Nittany Lions basketball statistical leaders

Points

Rank Player Points Years Rank Player Points Years Rank Player Points Years
1 Talor Battle 2,213 2007-2011 17 John Amaechi 1,310 1992-1995 33 Tony Ward 1,020 1984-1988
2 Lamar Stevens+ 2,207 2016-2020 18 Brandon Taylor 1,289 2012-2016 34 Mike Edelman 1,019 1978-1982
3 Jesse Arnelle 2,138 1951-1955 19 Calvin Booth 1,288 1995-1999 35 Gene Harris 1,018 1959-1962
4 Joe Crispin 1,986 1997-2001 20 Dan Earl 1,256 1993-1999 36 Mike Lang 1,014 1979-1983
5 D.J. Newbill 1,812 2012-2015 21 Monroe Brown 1,244 1988-1992 37 Jeff Miller 1,008 1974-1978
6 Shep Garner 1,629 2014-2018 22 Ron Brown 1,184 1972-1974
7 Pete Lisicky 1,605 1994-1998 23 Mike Watkins 1,171 2016-2020
8 Jamelle Cornley 1,579 2005-2009 24 Carver Clinton 1,165 1963-1966
9 DeRon Hayes 1,570 1989-1993 25 Tony Carr 1,161 2016-2018
10 Tim Frazier 1,543 2009-2014 26 Mark DuMars 1,139 1958-1961
11 Geary Claxton 1,542 2004-2008 27 Bob Weiss 1,091 1962-1965
12 Tom Hovasse 1,459 1985-1989 28 Jeff Persson 1,090 1965-1968
13 Jarrett Stephens 1,372 1995-2000 29 Josh Reaves 1,079 2015-2019
14 Titus Ivory 1,369 1996-2001 30 Gyasi Cline-Heard 1,058 1997-2001
15 Freddie Barnes 1,342 1988-1992 31 Steve Kuhn 1,057 1976-1980
16 Ed Fogell 1,329 1985-1990 32 James Barnes 1,025 1987-1991

+ 2020 B1G Tournament and 2020 NCAA Tournament cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

Assists

Rank Player Assists Years Rank Player Assists Years
1 Tim Frazier 641 2009-2014 11 Ron Brown 350 1972-1974
2 Freddie Barnes 600 1988-1992 12 Tony Ward 331 1984-1988
3 Dan Earl 574 1993-1999 13 Tony Carr 325 2016-2018
4 Talor Battle 517 2007-2011 14 Shep Garner 317 2014-2018
5 Joe Crispin 485 1997-2001 15 Josh Reaves 310 2015–2019
Tom Wilkinson 485 1976-1980 16 Pete Lisicky 291 1994-1998
7 Monroe Brown 450 1988-1992 17 D.J. Newbill 288 2012-2015
8 Titus Ivory 443 1996-2001 18 Brandon Watkins 287 1999-2003
9 Ben Luber 418 2003-2007 19 Lamar Stevens 262 2016-2020
10 Dwight Gibson 385 1991-1995

Rebounds

Rank Player Rebounds Years Rank Player Rebounds Years
1 Jesse Arnelle 1,238 1951-1955 12 Carvin Jefferson 713 1975-1979
2 Mike Watkins 956 2016–2020 13 Randy Meister 712 1972-1975
3 Mike Lang 912 1979-1983 14 Jarrett Stephens 703 1995-2000
4 Lamar Stevens 875 2016-2020 15 Andrew Jones 681 2007-2011
5 Ross Travis 816 2011-2015 16 Gyasi Cline-Heard 672 1997-2001
6 Gene Harris 762 1959-1962
7 Geary Claxton 755 2004-2008
Jamelle Cornley 755 2005-2009
9 John Amaechi 745 1992-1995
10 Carver Clinton 734 1963-1966
11 Calvin Booth 728 1995-1999

NBA players

NBA Draft

Year Round Pick Name Team
1947
3
10
John Rusinko
Baltimore Bullets
1953
7
2
Herman Sledzik
Baltimore Bullets
1955
2
13
Jesse Arnelle
Fort Wayne Pistons
1965
3
22
Bob Weiss
Philadelphia 76ers
1966
11
6
Carver Clinton
Philadelphia 76ers
1974
7
17
Ron Brown
Boston Celtics
1981
3
57
Frank Brickowski
New York Knicks
1983
8
12
Mike Lang
New York Knicks
1984
10
211
Dick Mumma
Los Angeles Clippers
1999
2
35
Calvin Booth
Washington Wizards
2018
2
51
Tony Carr
New Orleans Pelicans

Other Players

The following is a list of undrafted Penn State players who have played at least one NBA regular or post-season game.

Season by Season Records

Main article: List of Penn State Nittany Lions basketball seasons

Overcoming Historical Irrelevance

At a school where the football program captures the vast majority of media and fan interest, the basketball program has historically struggled to draw fans and administrative support. Penn State is consistently ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in attendance and revenue,[2] which has been attributed to local apathy and noncompetitive teams. The Bryce Jordan Center has far more seats than can regularly be filled, and large, black curtains cover parts of the upper deck during most non-conference and weekday games.[3]

Penn State has come close to breaking through on several occasions in the 21st century, only to fall back to mediocrity. They reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over 50 years in 2001 after upsetting #2 North Carolina in the Round of 32, only to fall to a 3-13 record in the Big Ten the next year. The 2008-09 and 2017-18 teams won the NIT, but did not reach the tournament the next year.

Penn State hoops reached new levels of popularity during the 2019-20 season after fielding a team that peaked at #9 in the Associated Press (AP) poll. The team hosted its first sellout since 2011 in a February showdown against Minnesota,[4] a contest they would win 83-77, extending a mid-season win streak that would eventually reach eight games. Students rallied around the idea of Penn State as a "basketball school," and players such as seniors Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins became household names across campus, even among non-basketball fans. In what was referred to as "the most Penn State basketball thing ever" by fans on social media, the season was cancelled prior to the start of the Big Ten Tournament due to the COVID-19 outbreak.[5] Stevens finished only seven points from becoming Penn State's all-time leading scorer, a feat that would almost certainly have been reached had the season not been cut short.[6] Though a NCAA Tournament bracket was never officially revealed, head coach Pat Chambers announced that the 2019-20 team would be included on the team banner of tournament appearances.[7]

Penn State Men's Basketball Radio Affiliates

[8]

References

  1. ^ "Design Essentials". Brand.PSU.edu. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Big Ten College Basketball Attendance and Ticket Sales Data From 2018-19". Stadium. 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  3. ^ "A call for end of prefab noise at Bryce Jordan Center". pennlive. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  4. ^ Collegian, Justin Morganstein | The Daily. "Penn State men's basketball's sellout against Minnesota has fans appreciating special time in program history". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  5. ^ "'Most Penn State Basketball Thing Ever': Fans React To March Madness Closure". Onward State. 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  6. ^ "Penn State's Lamar Stevens weighs in on crushing end to decorated career". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  7. ^ "Penn State basketball coach Pat Chambers hopeful for contract extension". WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  8. ^ http://www.gopsusports.com/ot/nl-update-affiliates.html 2011-2012 PSU Network Affiliates - Men's Basketball

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