Pat Chambers didn’t leave himself anywhere to hide following his March 19 press conference when he said that Tim Frazier and DJ Newbill would combine to become the best backcourt in the country.
‘I think we’re going to have the best backcourt in the country. You heard me, in the country,’ he said without blinking last March.
With Penn State’s Nov. 9 season opener against Saint Francis only weeks away, Chambers spoke with the media briefly before practice Thursday, not backing down from his claim.
‘I’m standing by that,’ Chambers said smiling as Newbill and Frazier took turns draining 3-pointers behind him. ‘I’m two feet in on that one. Just watching them play together I get very excited, there are a lot more options and a lot more space.
‘They like to play off each other, if there is one thing it’s that they’re probably too unselfish. I’m really excited about what they both bring. Tim brings that speed and that freakish athleticism and DJ brings that tough 6’4 football mentality with a chip.’
It’s hard not to blame Chambers for his excitement. Newbill, the Southern Miss transfer, brings an obvious toughness and athleticism that complements the efforts of his All-Big Ten counterpart. Averaging 19 points and six assists a game, Frazier maintained high levels of production even with defenses keying in on him.
‘The first day of practice I put them together,’ Chambers said. ‘I was just as anxious as you guys to see it again. But it’s a much better, more competitive practice if they sparred.
‘They go at it, they’re fierce. They’re trying to make each other better, I bring up Aaron Craft, Trey Burke, those kind of guys, they need to know how those guys are going to compete against them for 40 minutes. When they can do it against each other, it’s that much easier in a game.’
Newbill was recently named a captain along with Frazier but has had to battle off the court as well, losing his mother to cancer only weeks ago. The team traveled together to the funeral in Philadelphia last month.
Still early in the process, Chambers hasn’t committed to a starting five, saying that he’ll start the best five players each game. Chambers has alluded to the desire to run a high-paced offense, possibly with four guards, something that the addition of Newbill makes a little easier.
The Nittany Lions are looking to rebound from a 12-20 record a year ago. While no one within the program will comment on a win total for this season, there is a definite air of anticipation as the 2012 season draws closer.
