Just got an e-mail from the folks at USA Basketball announcing the final roster for the World University Games. Among the names on the 12-man roster is Talor Battle, the Nittany Lions’ all-Big Ten point guard. It’s a terrific honor for Battle, who earns a trip to Belgrade, Serbia, next month for the international tournament. The U.S. team will be led by Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan — whose knowledge of Battle’s talent from conference play probably didn’t hurt Talor’s chances — and assisted by University of Miami coach Frank Haith; hardcore Nittany Lion hoops fans will remember Haith as a Penn State assistant coach during the ’95-96 season.

By the time Battle gets back from Europe, he might have a new hometown: With Talor looking at two more years in a Penn State uniform and his younger brother, Taran Buie, committed to play for the Nittany Lions beginning in 2010, Battle’s mother and kids (including Buie) are reportedly moving to Centre County in time for Buie’s senior year of high school. Buie, a top-50 recruit according to some national scouting services, is the most highly touted recruit in the history of the program. As a Penn State hoops fan who lives about a mile from State College High School, I for one am psyched.

Ryan Jones, senior editor