Blue White Illustrated

lems while bringing you even more of the in-depth coverage you've come to expect. The preseason publication that was printed and mailed on Aug. 21 was the biggest we've ever done, and future issues will be every bit as comprehensive. All the features that you've come to count on in BWI, like Phil's Corner, the Up Close and Per- sonal series, Varsity Views and the Last Word, as well as featured writers like Lou Prato, will continue to appear in the pages of our new and improved magazine. We're excited about the improve- ments we've made, and we hope read- ers will share our enthusiasm. As these changes continue to unfold, we'll be certain to keep you updated via email, regular mail or the pages of this magazine. SITE LINES WEB SURVEY WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PENN STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM THIS SEASON? I expect improvement across the board. With the best point guard in the Big Ten, the addition of D.J. Newbill and the expected develop- ment of last year's underclassmen, this should lead to more than the scrappy, hard-nosed, competitive but unsuccessful results of 2011- 12. Pat Chambers has brought an influx of energy and excitement to the hoops program, but now it will take wins to build on that. In a very strong conference, at the very least, I expect Penn State to be much more competitive in conference road games and legitimately challenge for an NIT berth. I'm not expecting a meteoric rise, but Chambers defi- nitely has this program on the up- swing. vslice02 Coach Chambers says he has the best backcourt in the country. You don't lose many games with the best backcourt in the country. They are the playmakers on offense. I take Coach Chambers at his word and look forward to his leadership in basketball at Penn State. What a re- freshing idea: winning basketball games in the Big Ten in 2012. Bottom line is we need to be in it to win it, not just happy to be in it. I know that sounds plain and sim- ple, but I am tired of the "Well, at least it was close" mentality. dave_1974 Competitive on the road and al- most unbeatable at home. No 30- point blowouts against us. Fayette_LION Competitive in every game, even against the top-ranked teams such as Indiana, Michigan State and Michigan. Have a winning record at home in-conference. A .500 record in the Big Ten this year would be great, but 7-11 or 8-10 is more real- istic/hopeful. NittanyLager Seven Big Ten wins would be spec- tacular and would likely put us in contention for the NIT or CBI, if we're strong out-of-conference. Also, it would be nice to avoid losing huge on the road. Road games seemed to snowball on us last year. 17-13 (or so) and 7-11 in the Big Ten. And people will not fully take into account that the Big Ten might be the country's toughest league over the last three years. Media Fan Here you go. I expect a National Championship. After all, a wise man once said, "A man's reach should exceed his grasp." ViennaLion Penn State basketball is at least a half-decade away from even being respectable. Women's volleyball, wrestling, hockey and even women's basketball have all leaped well be- yond hoops in Penn State interest. NittanyLogan'11 NYNY My expectations are higher than last year, but tempered because op- ponents know what is coming and the league is improved this year. Penn State will get a winning record, make a run in the Big Ten tournament and perhaps be on the NCAA tourney bubble. But expect an NIT berth and a breakout year for Sasha Borovniak and D.J. New- bill. The team will be vastly improved, however, the conference will be im- proved, too – maybe the toughest in the NCAA. I would love to see the Li- ons go deep in the conference tour- nament, then play in the NIT. Along the way, they'll post a couple big upsets. Michigan State? Indiana at home? baircub1! blk902 locopsu " ! "$ ' n State boots away its scoring chances and drops a nail-biter to Virginia | KICKED TO THE CURB C $ $ " " " # $ " HARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Penn State had its chances this time. The fake punt worked. The deep throw into the end zone at the end of the first half was on target. The turnovers that never seemed to pop loose in last week's sea- son-opening loss to Ohio? They popped loose. The field goal opportunities that never seemed to arise? They arose. So why do the Nit- tany Lions find them- selves here, still winless two games into their season? They did a lot of the things they wanted to do against Virginia on Saturday. But they weren't able to take advantage of all the ork they did, $ $ GOOD NEWS Penn State showed re- silience. It moved the ball effectively at times and made some big plays on defense. BAD NEWS There's no delicate way of put- ting it: The Lions' kicking game was terrible, and it cos the team a victory THE TAKEAWAY The ated som GO, OHIO ch has led the Bobcats to bowl games each of the past three seasons. Photo courtesy of Ohio Media Relations seeking a season-opening win CRADLE & ' % ! va- e So- n, and ! around, he's getting set to return to his home state this weekend. And this time, he's angling for a really big fish – bigger, certainly, than anything he ever pulled out of the water at Fisherman's Paradise. Saturday's game against Penn State is "a eat opportunity for us," Solich said. "And along with great opportunities usually come great challenges. But it's a challenge we look for- ward to." Solich has a lot of reaso- what might seem at l opening-day mis- ditional Big Ten

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