Penn State Basketball: Midseason Report Card

This Thursday, Penn State will take on Illinois in the 20th game of the Pat Chambers era. With 31 games on the schedule, the true mathematical midpoint of the year came two games into conference play. However, the varying levels of competition during the nonconference season limits your ability to truly gauge the quality of play of a given team.

With only three games left before the final half of Big Ten play and the final nine games of the season, it’s time to review and grade the production of each Nittany Lion who has seen significant minutes this year.

Tim Frazier: A-

Averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists

This season, Frazier picked up where he left off during the Big Ten tournament last March. Frazier has consistently been able to find his teammates as well as to run the floor effectively on his own, one of his real downsides being his shooting percentage. At a clip of 40 percent a game, Frazier is getting his points but often at the cost of take 15-20 shots per contest. While Chambers has structured his offense around taking any and all open looks, Penn State could benefit greatly if Frazier improves his shooting percentage and shot selection.

Matt Glover: B+

Averaging 3 points, 4 rebounds

In many ways, Matt Glover is the second-most-important player on Penn State’s roster. Lock-down defense and endless hustle have made Glover the glue for Penn State on both sides of the ball. While Glover lacks the stats to back up this claim, he does the things that a team needs to win but that don’t show up on the scoresheet. Penn State could use a few more points from Glover, but generally speaking the offense hasn’t been geared toward his having lots of chances to score. Even with a limited scoring role, Glover is still a crucial part of Penn State’s future.

Jermaine Marshall: B+

Averaging 10 points, 3 rebounds, 33 percent from three

In many ways Marshall is still figuring out the college game. While there isn’t any doubt that his athletic ability is second only to Frazier, after averaging nine minutes a game last season, Marshall could stand to improve several aspects of his game. Even so, Marshall has proven to be the Nittany Lions’ most consistent second scoring option, and his 10 points a game in only 24 minutes of play gives him the potential for an even greater upside. Moving forward, Marshall will need to address his jumper and body control in the lane; a few too many offensive series have ended with charging calls.

Cammeron Woodyard: B

Averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, 35 percent from three

As the only senior on the team, Woodyard needed to step up his game in order for Penn State to win. While the Nittany Lions haven’t found themselves on the ‘right’ side of the W/L column, Woodyard has drastically improved his shooting. After averaging well under 30 percent from behind the arc his first three seasons, Woodyard’s 35.2 percent is good enough for second on the team, technically behind Oliver only by .1 percent. Woodyard can still be shaky at times, but without a doubt he is one of the most improved players on the entire team.

Sasa Borovnjak: B

Averaging 5 points, 4 rebounds, 58 percent from the field

For Penn State, the use of a big man has yet to really become a factor in the game plan. A smaller lineup that highlights guards and their speed makes the role of players like Borovnjak more important in terms of rebounding and defense around the basket. That being said, while only averaging 18 minutes a game, Borovnjak has give Pat Chambers 18 consistent minutes of play. Shooting 58 percent from the field, Sasa has provided Penn State with a high percentage play in the paint if need be. This was on display over a four-game stretch in which Borovnjak went 17-of-22 from the field while only averaging 21 minutes per contest.

Billy Oliver: C+

Averaging 7 points, 3 rebounds, 35 percent from three

While there isn’t any doubt Oliver has started to find his game, general inconsistency on both ends of the floor has led to the lower grade. Oliver has struggled with injury and confidence his entire career but has shot lights-out at times during the early parts of the season. However, since entering the thick of Big Ten play, Oliver has struggled to find the separation needed to get in to a rhythm offensively. Since going 7-of-11 from behind the arc against Purdue, Oliver has shot 4-of-15 in the past three games and has effectively been neutralized by defensive pressure. Oliver has the tools to find his shooting touch again but will need to work a little harder against tougher defenses in order for him to be more effective.

Ross Travis: C

Averaging 4 points, 4 rebounds

Travis’ athleticism and hustle around the basket has made him the best freshman on the team this year. Travis has only begun to find his game as Big Ten play has started, averaging seven rebounds and six points a game. This is a welcome sight for Pat Chambers after Travis spent much of the nonconference schedule struggling to find his role in the offense. While Travis’ grade is based on his overall performance this year, it has become clear over the past few games that he not only started to settle in to the college game, but has a very strong upside, as well.

Trey Lewis: C-

Averaging 5 points, 35 percent from three

Lewis has what it takes to have an important role on Penn State’s roster. His shooting touch and athletic ability give him the opportunity to become a special player. However, Lewis has struggled to find himself at the college level. Recent issues with his back and ankle as well as effort at practice have limited Lewis’ role so far this season. Even so, there is no reason to suspect that any of this will be a long-term problem.

Overall, Penn State’s record, while accurate, is not necessarily an indication that this team is not without an upside. Talented younger players and veterans’ stepping up when they are needed have made this Nittany Lion team far from a pushover. In the end, the 2011-2012 season is the product of a program’s growing pains as it heads toward what looks to be a much brighter future.

Related coverage

• StateCollege.com’s Penn State basketball page