The Penn Stater Magazine

Changes in Store for Nittany Lion Basketball

March 22, 2010 at 9:52 am Ryan Jones Leave a comment

One of the few reasons for optimism in the wake of an 11-20 season for the men’s basketball team was the knowledge that, with no graduating seniors on the roster, the Nittany Lions at least wouldn’t have to worry about replacing anyone. That knowledge has been disproved — dramatically — over the past few days.

On Friday, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reported that sophomore shooting guard Chris Babb would be transferring. Babb, a Texas native who averaged 9.3 points per game as a starter last season, is apparently looking to move closer to home. That was followed Saturday by news that freshman Bill Edwards, an Ohio native and sometime starter last season, is also leaving the program, also reportedly to play closer to home. Bit players Andrew Ott and Adam Highberger, both redshirt juniors, won’t be back next year, either — both are on pace to graduate before the 2010-11 season and are apparently done with their playing careers.

The departures are a blow to coach Ed DeChellis ’82, but some are wondering if they might actually be a blessing in disguise. Either way, next year’s team figures to look very different from this year’s version. Here’s hoping the results follow suit.

Ryan Jones, senior editor

Entry filed under: Nittany Lion basketball. Tags: Adam Highberger, Andrew Ott, Bill Edwards, Chris Babb, Ed DeChellis.