Penn State could use a little tough love

When it comes to grit and guts, the Big Ten might not have a better model than Penn State's Geary Claxton.

The Nittany Lions senior swingman is a classic overachiever.

At just 6-feet-5, he's the only active player to have ranked in the league's top 10 in both scoring and rebounding the last two seasons. He leads active Big Ten players with 17 career double-doubles. He eclipsed 20 points seven times last season.

A leader by example? Claxton's your man. But sometimes, that isn't enough.

"Sometimes, you've got to rattle some guy's cage," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "Sometimes, you've got to be the bad guy and set some young guys straight. It could be little things, coming to practice 15, 20 minutes early.

"Because he's there already."

Many coaches would envy DeChellis, whose roster includes Claxton and a near carbon copy in 6-5 junior forward Jamelle Cornley, who averages 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in his career.

There's only one problem.

"They're such nice guys," DeChellis explained.

And nice guys finish … tied for last place in the league despite entering the 2006-07 season with high hopes. The Lions appeared to raise the ceiling for their program two years ago, shocking Illinois in Champaign and winning four of their final seven league games.

But last year, Penn State reverted to its bottom-feeder form, losing 13 consecutive league games from Jan. 6 to Feb. 24, four contests by 5 points or fewer. The Lions' zone defense shattered and they allowed 71.9 points in league games, 4.3 more than any other team.

"We weren't focused at times," Claxton said. "We'd be in the games, but we'd only play 30, 35 minutes. When a team made their run, we would collapse."

Focus was part of the problem. So were confidence and leadership.

"Those things are kind of intertwined," DeChellis said.

DeChellis looks for both Claxton and Cornley to lead this season, but he's holding off on naming captains as two new guards join the mix.

Freshman Talor Battle and speedy junior-college transfer Stanley Pringle will contribute immediately, with Battle likely opening the season as the starting point guard.

Battle, ranked as the nation's 21st best point guard prospect, eclipsed 2,000 points in high school but will be a pass-first player at Penn State. His slashing skills should give sharpshooters Mike Walker and Danny Morrissey more 3-point opportunities.

"His style is pushing the floor and looking for the open guy, like a point guard should," Claxton said. "He'll bring a lot to the table."

Penn State should have greater frontcourt depth this year with 6-11 senior forward Brandon Hassell, who led the team in shooting (60.3 percent) last year, and 6-7 forward David Jackson, who took a medical redshirt last year (fractured femur).

"It's a clean slate, it's a new year," Claxton said. "Our spirits are up."

Penn State at a glance

Coach: Ed DeChellis (42-76, fifth year at Penn State; 147-169, 12th year overall)

2006-07 record: 11-19 (2-14 Big Ten, tie for 10th)

Starters returning/lost: 3/2

Projected starters

G/F Geary Claxton* 6-5 215 Sr. Consistent double-double man will contend for first-team all-Big Ten honors.

F Jamelle Cornley* 6-5 240 Jr. Ranked among top 15 in Big Ten in six statistical categories last year.

F Brandon Hassell* 6-11 240 Sr. Burly big man needs to start flexing his muscles during Big Ten play.

G Talor Battle 5-11 160 Fr. Decorated recruit steps in right away after scoring 2,161 points as prep star.

G Danny Morrissey 6-3 190 Jr. Blistered the nets in Big Ten play last year, hitting 49.3 percent of his 3s.

*Returning starter

Toughest nonconference games: Nov. 22: vs. South Carolina (at Old Spice Classic); Nov. 28: Virginia Tech; Dec. 1: at Saint Joseph's

Big Ten single games: at Northwestern; vs. Ohio State