Nov. 23, 2011

Recap |  Final Stats

Penn State Head Coach Patrick Chambers Quotes

Q: Why was the three-point shooting better today?

A: Honestly, we took a lot of shots. They had a captain's workout. I'm assuming they took shots. In practice yesterday we took a ton of shots. Walkthrough today we took a ton of shots. It's almost like I watch and if you see a lot of misses, we stay with that drill until I see some makes. So, we've been shooting the ball a lot.

Q: You were up by 21 and then the lead was cut to nine. Was it a lack of energy? How did Blake Allen and Kendrick Perry contribute for YoungstownState?

A: I would say those two kids are pretty good. I knew they were better than that in the first half. I watched those guys on tape. Theywere really talented. They can really shoot the ball. That's the same team that beat a good Butler team last year in February. We didn't take them lightly at all. I think they just play harder and (Blake Allen) and (Kendrick Perry), 7-for-12 and 5-for-8. That's impressive. They made some tough shots. It wasn't easy. They made contested shots. There's a lot to learn hear on how to put teams away but let's give (Youngstown State) some credit.

Q: Why did your team struggle from the foul line?

A: I don't know. I have no clue. Maybe you can come to practice and we can all work on it. It's confidence. Free-throw shooting is confidence. We all know that. Get to the line, do your routine, shoot your shot. If you have any negative thoughts you're going to miss. So, that's what we've been preaching. We've been preaching get there with great confidence, do your routine and shoot the ball. That's it. It is repetition and we shoot a ton of free-throws, a ton. Even Tim (Frazier) is missing some down the stretch. He did that against South Florida, too. Maybe he's tired. He's tired and I've got to get him some more rest somewhere.

Q: With another double-double, how is Tim Frazier developing into "the guy" for this team?

A: It's crazy for me to even say this, but I want him to be more selfish. Sometimes when he turns it over he just feels like he has got to get everybody involved and he does that anyway. He has got to keep attacking. He has been really working on his jump shot and he was 2-for-2, I think, from three tonight which was great. He's so fast and so quick. He has got four guys around him. So, I think we shot the ball well, too, because he is kicking out and these guys are open because they've got to worry about Tim Frazier.

Q: Trey came off the bench and shot the ball well. Can you talk about him?

A: He's young. He's an offensive weapon, there's no question about it. But our freshmen really need to step up defensively. We're built on defending and rebounding; doing all of the little things, playing scrappy. So he has to be better defensively. I think he took a step in that direction tonight.

Q: Can you comment on the defense as whole?

A: If you think about it (Blake Allen) and (Kendrick Perry) hit some tough shots at the end of the shot clock. So we played 25-26 seconds of the shot clock doing a pretty good job and they hit big- time shots. Ourdefense is coming. I think we took a step, but I knew it was going to be a 40 minute game. I knew Youngstown wasn't going to go away. I read up on their coach, he's a terrific coach. He's firey, he's a great leader. He didn't come in here to lose, that's why he got a technical in the first 2 minutes. Trying to motivate his team a little bit, I give him a lot of credit.

Q: What are the team plans for Thanksgiving?

A: Nittany Lion Inn tomorrow for a team dinner. We'll have a couple guys tell us what they're thankful for. Again, I said this a little bit ago. This is one of the best holidays. You really get to spend time with family and not take things for granted. That's what I'm trying to get across to our team; don't take these opportunities for granted. Hopefully we have a wonderful day, a good practice tomorrow, and really embrace thanksgiving.

Q: What are youthankful for?

A: So much. I'm thankful for my wife, my kids, my immediate family. Also Penn State, Penn State basketball, the players, good ones that go out there and compete every day. Just my whole staff, everybody. There's so much to be thankful for. I'm 40 years old, the head coach of Penn State. Who would've dreamt it?

Q: Will you go easy on them in practice tomorrow?

A: No, no way.

Penn State Player Quotes

Tim Frazier

Q: It was the day before thanksgiving and all the students are gone. Was it tough to come out energized?

A: I don't know if it was that. We all knew that coming ahead that students wouldn't be here. We try to bring our own energy and Coach prepares us for that throughout practice. Weprepare for every game like we are on the road.

Q: Where is Trey at in terms of his development?

A: He's doing well. He is learning each and every day. He is coming in and trying to be a student of the game, watching film and asking questions. That's a huge part. Talor Battle used to always tell us to ask him questions. And Trey is always asking me questions. I try to give him my knowledge. Trey always wants to learn something new every day.

Q: Do you see some of your game in Trey?

A: Of course. When I see him, I kick ahead and he drives and makes a strong finish. I say to him, `hey man, you look like me out there.' He is just a learner of the game.

Q: You were up by 21. Is it natural for you guys to dial it down a little bit in those situations?

A: I think that is something we really need to work and focus on. We played a pretty good team tonight. They shoot the three reallywell. We really need to work on finishing games out.

Q: Why did their threes keep falling tonight?

A: Like I said, that was their game plan to shoot threes. If you keep shooting them, they are eventually going to fall. They got hot andwere able to make shots. They just kept on pushing off of that.

Q: Can you talk about the pass and play in the second half you made with Ross Travis?

A: I have trust in Ross and I know he can finish it. Ithought that was a good play right there. I just threw it up there close to the rim. Anytime you can throw a ball up to Ross and he can make that play, it just pumps up the energy.

Trey Lewis

Q: It was the day before thanksgiving and all the students are gone. Was it tough to come out energized?

A: We have great fans, but Jermaine Marshall told us that we have to bring our own energy out here. We do that all the time in practice.Just bring energy.

Q: You guys struggled in Connecticut to shoot the three, but you were on tonight. What was the reason for that?

A: We have confidence. We came out with a better mindset and knowing what we had to do before the game. We shot with more confidence today.

Q: Can you talk about how well you played tonight?

A: My teammates really helped me get open shots. Tim Frazier really found me in good spots and my teammates helped me get open plays.

Q: What do you guys have to do in order to improve from the free throw line?

A: Shoot free throws. Every day. We need to get in the gym and concentrate on our shots. We just need to focus in a knock our free throws down.