Dec. 4, 2014
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In the days leading up to the Penn State men's basketball team's contest against Virginia Tech, head coach Patrick Chambers had a simple message for his players - focus on defense and rebounding.
While the Nittany Lions had held opponents to just 37 percent shooting during their 6-1 start, Chambers felt they could improve on the boards after averaging 39 rebounds to their opponents 37 in their first seven games.
Against the Hokies, the Lions' frontcourt had its best game of the season on the glass, outrebounding Virginia Tech 47-38 while gutting out a 61-58 win.
"I tell you what, in the second half, look at their statistics," Chambers said. "I feel like our [forwards] did a pretty good job. I felt like we did such a good job chesting them and walling up that they were missing those layups that they would have made in the first half. Very pleased with their effort."
Making the performance even more impressive was the number of Lions that contributed to that advantage. Four of the team's big men, forwards Donovon Jack (seven), Brandon Taylor (seven) and Ross Travis (10) and center Jordan Dickerson (eight) all grabbed at least seven rebounds.
For Travis, Penn State's leader in rebounds the past two seasons, the performance was expected. At the same time, it was encouraging for the 6-foot-7 forward to see his teammates give him the support he needed.
"It's huge man, it takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders," Travis said. "Coach is always telling me I have to get every rebound so it's nice to have some help, especially from the 7-footer (Dickerson) grabbing some boards."
Although Dickerson played only 16 minutes and scored just two points on one shot, the 7-foot-1 center consistently made his presence felt around the basket, grabbing six of his eight boards in the second half as the Lions outrebounded the Hokies 23-17 after the break.
For a player that has seen his role continue to expand since transferring from SMU prior to last season, it was a big step forward. Afterwards, Chambers said he was pleased with the junior, whose career high for rebounds entering the game was six.
"Defensively, really happy with Jordan Dickerson, he did some great things," Chambers said. "He had eight rebounds, that might be a career high."
Although he expects similar numbers from Travis, Chambers was still especially proud of the senior captain's effort. Travis scored six points in 27 minutes, but it was his six offensive rebounds that continuously helped the Lions keep their possessions going on a night in which they weren't having their best shooting game.
Those kinds of effort plays are what make Travis such an important player in Penn State's rotation. Though he may not be the most skilled guy on the roster, he brings an attitude and intensity to the court that the entire team feeds off of.
Apart from singling out Travis for his defense and rebounding, the fourth-year coach also praised him for two clutch shots he made in the first half, a 3-pointer and a putback between the 12:55 mark and the 10:22 mark that helped kick start the Lions' offense.
"He makes winning plays," Chambers said. "The tapback on the free throw line, I mean we couldn't find the bottom of the basket. He makes winning plays, he had 10 rebounds ... and his free throws are going to fall, nobody works harder than that kid. He's in the gym, he lives in the gym, he wants to be a great player and he wants to be on a winning team. You gotta let him play."
In a game that came down to a missed 3-pointer on the final possession by Virginia Tech guard Ahmed Hill, the Lions certainly weren't perfect. Still, they showed plenty of resolve by holding off a late Hokie rally to improve to 7-1 on the season.
From the 11:39 mark of the second half when Justin Bibbs hit a three, to the 5:49 mark when Bibbs finally added a pair of free throws, the Lions held the Hokies without a point. During that 5:50 stretch, the game changed from a 42-34 Virginia Tech lead to a 48-44 Penn State advantage.
"They're not pretty numbers by any stretch of the imagination. However, we find ways to win and good teams do that," Chambers said. "I think we're a good team but we haven't even scratched the surface of how good we could be."
There was one more thing that also made the game memorable. On a night in which the Nittany Lions wore pink-and-black uniforms for the second straight game to celebrate the school's original colors, the Bryce Jordan Center hosted a tremendous student crowd, which provided an excellent atmosphere for college basketball.
"What a great student section, man that fired me up," Chambers said. "I gotta give [marketing directors] LC (Loren Crispell) and Rob [Roselli] a lot of credit. That was outstanding. In my four years here that was the best crowd, the best student section I've seen. Penn State men's basketball says thank you."