Brooks making major gains

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Jeff Rice - jrice@centredaily.com

He's gained about a dozen pounds since the end of last season, but Jeff Brooks will never be mistaken for a heavyweight. But in that same body has been a different player for Penn State in the first five games of the season.

Brooks averaged 15.6 minutes, 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game during his first two seasons, but he’s been one of the most consistent and efficient players for the Nittany Lions (3-2), who host Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. tonight in the Bryce Jordan Center. The 6-foot-8 junior forward is averaging 11.6 points and 3.4 boards over 29.4 minutes per game and playing with aggression and confidence.

CDT file photo/Christopher Weddle

Penn State junior forward Jeff Brooks has been a bright spot for the Nittany Lions in the early part of the season, making a major jump in his scoring average. Penn State will host Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. today.

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The difference between the old Brooks, who had three career double-figure scoring games prior to this month, and the new Brooks, who has scored 10 or more points in four of five games in November?

“Intensity,” Brooks said. “And I don’t know if anybody else is noticing it, but I’m just having fun as well.”

Brooks’ playing time was limited during his first two seasons by Jamelle Cornley, who played the bulk of the minutes at the four spot and received most of the frontcourt touches. It was also limited by Brooks himself, who would allow his mistakes to eat away at him during practices and games and influence the rest of his night. During the offseason, he made a vow to enjoy himself more on the court and his game has blossomed.

“I’m just playing to play, having some fun out there with my teammates and everything,” he said. “Knowing that this is my junior year and having only one more left, why not leave everything out there on the floor?”

The Nittany Lions, who averaged 63 points and shot 34 percent from the field in three games in the Charleston Classic last weekend, would welcome continued, steady production from Brooks and from junior forward David Jackson, who is scoring at a career-best 8.2 points-per-game clip.

“We’re hoping people need to kind of pay attention to those two guys,” Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. “And it frees somebody else up.”

The Pioneers (2-2) have struggled defensively. Opponents are scoring 84.2 points per game and shooting 47 percent from the field against Dave Bike’s team, which is averaging 17 turnovers per game. Senior forward Corey Hassan paces the Pioneers with 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and will be a point of emphasis for Penn State’s defense this evening. He scored 17 in Sacred Heart’s 73-55 loss to the Nittany Lions here last December.

“He’s very bouncy, 6-5, 6- 4. He knows how to play,” DeChellis said. “He has an unorthodox shot but he gets it off pretty quickly. Every time he touches it, he’s going to look to create something with it.”

Penn State needs a win tonight with road dates at Virginia and Temple looming in the next 11 days. The Nittany Lions want to jump on the Pioneers quickly.

“We came into the (UNC-) Wilmington game a little unfocused, thinking that they weren’t this or they weren’t that, and the next thing you know, we’re down 10 points,” Brooks said. “I think we just need to stay focused and make sure everyone is ready to play as soon as the ball is tipped off.”

Notes: Penn State is 2-0 all-time against Sacred Heart. ... The Nittany Lions have won seven straight home games dating back to last season. ... Sophomore guard Chris Babb has 10 3-point field goals and no 2-point field goals this season. ... Freshman guard Tim Frazier hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer since making 4-of-5 against Robert Morris on Nov. 16.