Penn State to begin 117th season of basketball

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; NOV. 8, 2012 – Penn State will open its 117th season of men’s basketball Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center with a 7:00 p.m. tip vs. Saint Francis (PA). The game can be seen on BTN.com and heard live on the Penn State Sports Network with Brian Tripp and Dick Jerardi calling the action.

The November 9 season tipoff will mark the earliest in the history of Nittany Lion basketball, bettering the Nov. 12 season start dates of thelast two seasons. All Penn State freshmen students will be admitted free to the game and it will be an ever-popular Dollar Dog Night.

Penn State has won its last seven season openers dating to the 2005 season and is 86-30 all-time in season opening games, 76-10 in home season openers. The Nittany Lions and Red Flash will be meeting for the first timesince 2007. Penn State owns an 8-2 series lead and has won the last four meetings.

The Red Flash will begin their first season under head coach RobKrimmel, a State College native. Krimmel’s brother, Ken, played basketball at Penn State from 1998-2002 and his father Bob, currently the Athletic Director at Saint Francis, had a 32-year career in the Penn State Athletic Department first as the head women’s swimming and diving coach (1981-98) and then as an Assistant Athletic Director (1998-2005). His mother, Sharon, also had a 35-year career in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology.

Preseason All-Big Ten guard Tim Frazier (Houston, Texas) enters his senior campaign 30 points shy of becoming the 30th 1,000-point scorer in Nittany Lion history and 157 assists shy of breaking the Penn State career assist mark of 600. He is the Big Ten’s top returner in scoring and assists after posting 18.8 points and 6.2 assists per game as a junior. 

Article courtesy of Penn State Athletic Communications

Penn State’s Men’s Basketball games have the potential to be a great night for any basketball fan, student, or family. Last season proved to be a struggle as the team had to transition between new coaches and new players. However, fans in Happy Valley are optimistic that this season will prove to be an exciting and competitive one.

Second-year head coach, Patrick Chambers, has been motivated since first arriving at Penn State and has never lost his energy. The positive attitude, veteran players, and great match-ups will drive many people to the Bryce Jordan Center this season with games that are thrilling to watch.

Attend individual games or get season tickets to make a night out of game nights with family or friends.

The return of leaders Tim Frazier and Jermaine Marshall are a huge reason why Penn State men’s basketball will be exciting to watch. Frazier established himself among the elite guards in the nation after leading the Big Ten in assists (6.2) and finishing second in scoring (18.8) and steals (2.4) in his junior year.

Expectations are high for Marshall, as well, especially from Coach Chambers, who has said that Marshall has matured as a player and has become one of the best three-point shooters on the team.

Detroit rapper to perform at second annual Penn State basketball event, Oct. 25 in Rec Hall

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; OCT. 9, 2012 – The Nittany Lion and Lady Lion basketball teams will once again be joined by a top selling music artist as they celebrate the beginning of the2012-13 basketball season with the second annual Hoops Madness, Thursday, Oct. 25, in venerable Rec Hall.

The former home of Penn State basketball will shake with hoops hysteria as 2012 BET Best New Artist of the Year Big Sean performs at the annual season tip-off event. The nightwill also feature a performance from Penn State’s own Mike Wallz with a special guest. Doors to Rec Hall will open at 6:30 p.m. with Hoops Madness beginning at 7:30 p.m. Student season ticket holders will get early admittance at 6:15. The first 300 fans through the doors will receive a free Hoops Madness t-shirt.

Video courtesy of Penn State Athletic Communications.