It’s not uncommon for me, and for anyone watching Penn State basketball, to say that our entire offensive strategy is predicated on Talor Battle making a 28-foot jump shot. There’s no motion without the ball, no set plays, no posting up. And for proof, Eric, who runs the phenomenal blog Battle Does it Again (which for too long lay dormant), chronicled every single Penn State possession of last weekend’s game against Michigan State, trying to find how many times the Lions dumped the ball down low, or used their big men in offensive situations. The results, as you surely have come to assume by now: not pretty.

FINAL COUNT:

• Just 3 total entry passes for the entire game from Penn State. It was really more like 2, but I was generous and counted Battle finding a wide open Andrew Jones as one. Jeff Brooks posted up twice when he was guarded by Kalin Lucas. That is the only time Penn State fed the ball to the low block.
• Just 21 touches by Andrew Ott and Andrew Jones combined, 13 of which came out past the 3 point line. They did attempt to post up throughout the game, but it was seldom. Even when they did, they never seriously called for the ball and it looked like they were just going through the motions. 56 possessions, 8 touches inside the 3 point line. We’re playing 4 on 5.

22 times PSU ran the shot clock to under :10. I’m not going to figure out the success rate because it’s probably half decent, considering Battle hit some ridiculous shots.

It’s really worth a look, if you have an hour or two–a complete description of each of Penn State’s 56 possessions isn’t exactly a quick read–but it’s clear that in completing this analysis, Eric put more effort into comprehending a gameplan than did Ed DeChellis.  The question that begs to be asked is whether our big men are just so painfully bad that even attempting to get them the ball is a mistake or whether DeChellis simply can’t understand why anyone other than Talor Battle needs to touch the ball.  And considering it’s Ed’s job to recruit and develop the talent, it’s his fault either way.

Those who defend Ed say that we knew this would be a down year.  But we’re expected to believe that we’ll be any better next year? If Taran Buie just replaces Chris Babb, it still doesn’t help our low-post game. It’s unlikely that it’ll spur Ed DeChellis to draw up some new, smart plays, Waterboy-style.  Against Michigan State, a “Fire Ed” sign made it’s debut. Boos rained down from the rafters during Michigan State’s game-clinching run.  The student body and the fanbase are starting to turn on Ed DeChellis.  We’ve made our voices heard.  It’s time for Tim Curley to listen.

Releated Posts:

1. Well, that was almost fun
2. Penn State 55 – Michigan 51
3. Well, Taran Buie’s Starting Now: Chris Babb Transfers
4. FIRE ED NOW: Bill Edwards Also Transferring
5. Sorry, Ed, but it’s time for a change