Veteran reserves providing boost for Nittany Lions

Consistency has been a topic of conversation for the Penn State men’s basketball team.

Nittany Lions coach Patrick Chambers has watched even the nation’s top-ranked teams fail to achieve that level of play throughout the season. Recent examples include then-No. 4 Michigan State losing its last two games and Duke slipping from No. 9 to No. 20 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

Chambers has talked to his team about playing with consistent effort every day.

That effort can translate to production as it did in a victory over Northwestern last Saturday.

“We see what type of team we can be,” Chambers said at his press conference Wednesday. “We have to continue to try to be that type of team.”

The Nittany Lions (11-8, 2-4 Big Ten) will look to achieve that goal against Wisconsin (10-9, 2-4) at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State received quality minutes from senior forward Donovon Jack, senior guard Devin Foster and redshirt sophomore forward Julian Moore in the win over Northwestern. They’ve all been inconsistent or made modest contributions this season, but the Nittany Lions are depending on them to step up with freshman guard Josh Reaves out due to mononucleosis.

Jack has scored in double figures in two straight games after failing to score more than nine points in a night in the first 17 games. Chambers pointed to Jack’s issues with foul trouble contributing to his struggles during his career.

He’s picked up two quick fouls and been limited for stretches.

Moore has had the same problem.

“I think if they can get into the flow of the game and know that they’re gonna play,” Chambers said. “We’re kind of short on our bench now. We’re really only playing eight guys and then Isaiah (Washington) a little bit here and there. So they know they’re gonna play now. They feel very comfortable about it. And as long as they stay out of foul trouble, I think you’ll see consistent effort. And that’s what I’m all about right now.”

Both big men have also simply struggled at times.

Jack’s season-best scoring outings followed back-to-back scoreless efforts in which he played a combined 14 minutes. Chambers said “the light comes on” for seniors, and he’s starting to see it in Jack.

Chambers said the way Jack played at Purdue was telling. Penn State’s 6-foot-9 forward didn’t back down from 7-footers Isaac Haas and A.J. Hammons and scored 12 points in 14 minutes.

He stayed hot against Northwestern, scoring 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 19 minutes. And Foster enjoyed his best all-around game this season, finishing with nine points, six rebounds and five assists.

Penn State senior forward Brandon Taylor called their contributions “big time.”

“They’re seniors playing like seniors and playing like they have nothing to lose,” Taylor said. “And when they play like that, great things happen.”

Foster’s play provided a boost in the backcourt with Reaves out and starting guard Shep Garner in a slump.

Garner has gone 5 for 17 from the field and 2 for 10 from 3-point range in the last two games. He also had seven turnovers against Purdue. Chambers said Garner has to get better and remain a threat as opposing teams aim to wear him down.

Foster can help relieve the defensive pressure on Garner.

And the left-handed guard has proven he can be a playmaker despite going scoreless in six games this season, finishing tough layups and staying active on the boards.

Chambers said Foster has stayed engaged and become more comfortable on the floor.

“He didn’t lose faith,” Chambers said. “We didn’t lose faith or confidence in him. I see his confidence rising. I see him in the gym more without being told to be in the gym.”

With increased production from its veteran reserves and coming off the win over the Wildcats, Chambers is pleased with his team going into Thursday night.

“This team’s in a really good place,” Chambers said. “They’re not hiding. We lost to Michigan State, everybody was in the gym early the next day or got shots up. We got better. We competed hard. We lost to Purdue, but we battled Purdue.”

Notes: Wisconsin is coming off a 77-76 win over then-No. 4 Michigan State. ... Wisconsin is 3-4 since Greg Gard took over as interim head coach. Former Badgers coach Bo Ryan retired Dec. 15 after a win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. ... Wisconsin’s four losses in Big Ten play have all been by six or fewer points. ... Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ leads the Big Ten with six double-doubles this year. Nigel Hayes leads the Badgers in scoring with 16.3 points per game.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Veteran reserves providing boost for Nittany Lions."