Chambers: Ross Travis, Brandon Taylor Need to Emerge as Third Scorer for Penn State Basketball

The Nittany Lions will travel to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at 8 p.m. Thursday. Coach Patrick Chambers met with the media prior to Monday’s practice at the Bryce Jordan Center. Here are just a few points that the second-year coach touched on.

DJ Newbill Continued Progression at Point Guard:

“I think he’s done a really good job,” Chambers said. “He had six assists and one turnover. I’d love to be nit-picky, but he’s done everything I’ve asked him to do. I ask a lot of him and I’m proud.”

Getting Consistent 3-Point Shooting:

“It would definitely help,” Chambers said. “We haven’t hit seven 3s since the nonconference. It’s like golf. We shoot it well, we’re not making stops, we’re getting stops, we’re not shooting well. We’re getting off the tee but we aren’t putting well. If guys have open looks we have to take them. 

On Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery:

“He’s done a great job, he’s a great coach, great human being. His wife’s sister was in my brother’s move, so a lot of connections, a lot of six degrees of Kevin Bacon in there. I actually helped hire one of his assistants at Villanova, Andrew Francis, who is a great guy and a great coach.”

Finding a Third Scorer:

“We’ve got to get Ross and Brandon Taylor going, they’ve got to get shots and get comfortable with the shots that they take. If it’s not taking shots, getting offensive rebounds.”

Staying Positive During Losing Streak:

“As long as I see progress, as long as I see that the kids are playing hard and giving it their all, I’m going to be that way. If they see their leader sad, depressed and down, then they’re going to be sad, depressed and down. So I fight it like no other to remain positive as a leader of this program. If I don’t remain positive, then who is?”