PSU Basketball Announces Out of Conference Opponents

I know Penn State fans, you just can't wait to get back in the BJC to tip off another basketball season in Happy Valley. Well we're still months away from the anticipated debut of Taran Buie, but today we found out who he will be playing in his first game, and every other non conference game for that matter his freshman year. So will Nittany Nation see a repeat of the 2008 NIT championship team or the embarrassment that was 2009? With no further ado, here is the out of conference schedule for the 2010-2011 Nittany Lions, as released on GoPSUSports.com.

Friday, Nov. 5 vs. East Stroudsburg (Exhibition)

Friday, Nov. 12 vs. Lehigh

Tues., Nov. 16 vs. Saint Joseph's

Fri., Nov. 19 vs. Fairfield

Mon., Nov. 22 vs. Central Connecticut State

Fri., Nov. 26 @ Mississippi

Sun., Nov. 28 vs. Furman

Wed., Dec. 1 vs. Maryland (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)

Sat., Dec. 4 vs. Duquesne

Tues., Dec. 7 vs. Mount St. Mary's

Sun., Dec. 12 @ Virginia Tech

Wed., Dec. 22 vs. Maine



My initial thoughts...YAWN! Just three teams from major conferences. And one of those, Maryland, was guaranteed as part of the Big 10 ACC Challenge. Forgive me if I'm not excited by Virginia Tech or Mississippi, neither of which managed to make the NCAA Tournament last year. And Maryland? Greivis Vasquez, last I checked, was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. So while that may lead to a Lion victory, I mean close 5 point loss after blowing the game in the second half, it won't look like such a resume booster when the Terrapins fall to the pack by season's end.

And sorry, but this isn't the Jameer Nelson/Delonte West St. Joseph's team either. The Hawks went 11-20 last year. Come on PSU, you can do better than that. Temple was definitely a good test, a quality program, but St. Joes? Not so much. Not anymore

As for the rest of the competition? Maine, Fairfield, and Lehigh all had solid seasons last year against lower competition. So does that mean they should walk away with a victory against the Lions? We shall see.

But this schedule does very little for me. It may be better than the '08-'09 season, but I give it an overall grade of a C+.