Tuesday, February 9, 2010

THIS IS WHY HE'S OUR LEADER

Can you have scripted better answers from Talor Battle during the post-game conference on Saturday?

Q: Can you talk about the attitudes right now of the guys?
A: We are still basketball players and we love to play the game. When you go out there and you expect to get steamrolled, you may as well quit. Being 0-11 now, that's like the worst feeling ever. But it gives you the stride to want to win. We are trying and trying. Sometimes I think we get up tight a little bit, but tonight we hit our shots. And then they just came back and made a spectacular shot.

Q: A lot of people are saying you guys are building character. Are you guys tired of hearing that cliché?
A: At this point, in the locker room I feel so bad for coach because he tries so hard. After a loss like this there is not much he can say. I know he is getting sick of telling us we got to keep our heads up and continue to play because we are right there and can't get over the hump.

Q: Does it feel like you guys are 0-11?
A: At this point, I have excluded all the win loss columns and I am going into each game saying we are 0-0 because it is a bad feeling. Whenever we play a game, no team takes us lightly except for Purdue and Wisconsin here. We've been right down to the net with every other team even on the road. We go out and fight. It's just unfortunate this year. We cannot get over the hump and win one.


That's just not the way college juniors are supposed to talk. But Battle doesn't play basketball the way most college juniors are supposed to be able to either. Although the season looks like a wash right now to most of Nittany Nation, you have Battle giving it his all on the court, whether it's its under the bright lights of the BJC or in the practice gym. His shots haven't been falling as often this season, but it's his attitude after possibly the most crushing loss of the season which gives everyone hope for next season.

In Big Ten games where Penn State teams of old would certainly be losing by double digits, Battle has lead the team to five losses by 6 points or less. In 11 Big Ten games to date, the Lions have lost by an average of 8.5 points per game. That's only three possessions. Three shots. Three turnovers. As he said, they've yet to turn the corner, but this team is very close, and they have Battle to thank. I have a feeling the Big Ten's leading scorer is just heating up...which is a very dangerous thing, especially if his teammates are able to rally behind him.

1 comment:

Jdm8286 said...

I was a bit worried that this losing streak was going to bring out the worst in Battle, but it seems to have brought out the best. He still gives it his all every game and even seems to be more committed to getting teammates involved, even though they don't always hold up their end of the bargain.