STATE COLLEGE — New offices, a new assistant coach and even a flashier look for the home court. All Penn State needs now is more victories.

It might sound like a broken record for the Nittany Lions, who haven't had a winning season or NCAA tournament appearance since 2001, but this year's crew is optimistic that they can end the hex in Happy Valley.

The freshmen who broke into the rotation last year, led by quick point guard Talor Battle, now enjoy the benefit of some experience. Undersized but gritty power forward Jamelle Cornley is the senior leader who appears to be over the left knee pain that slowed him last season.

Coach Ed DeChellis wants to build on the 2007-08 campaign in which Penn State finished 15-16 (7-11 Big Ten), including home upsets of Michigan State and Indiana. The seven conference wins were the most in his five seasons as head coach.

"I think those wins give our kids a lot of confidence. I'm hoping, and I think it's the situation now, that we have to build on that," DeChellis said. "We've got to try and win as many games as we can and put ourselves in a position where we can get into the NCAA tournament."

There have been some changes in the offseason.

Some are cosmetic. There's a new, bigger office that looks like it could serve as an outpost for a Madison Avenue advertising agency. A flashy, new ribbon board rings the inside of the Bryce Jordan Center.

Others are more substantial. Lewis Preston joins the staff as an assistant after spending two years helping Billy Donovan at Florida, including the 2007 national championship campaign. Preston also spent six years as an assistant at Notre Dame.

Among new players, freshmen Chris Babb and Cammeron Woodyard might have the most immediate impact. They will be counted on to replenish backcourt depth following the departures of two seniors, sharpshooter Mike Walker and slashing guard Geary Claxton.

Villanova transfer Andrew Ott, a 6-foot-10 sophomore who becomes eligible to play in the second half of the season, hopes to give 6-foot-9 starting center Andrew Jones a break.

A Labor Day weekend trip to Canada for exhibition games gave the new Nittany Lions time to jell.

"We're building on that and we played well in Canada, so we're ahead of the game practice-wise," said sophomore forward David Jackson. "We feel like we've evolved further than we have in the past."

And the past is something that Penn State does not want to repeat — unless of course it's a trip back to the NCAAs.

The Big Ten remains tough, though it might be perceived to be a little weaker nationally this season.

Road wins are a stumbling block. The Nittany Lions won their first two Big Ten games away from the Jordan Center last season before losing the last seven conference road games.

The roster is much more athletic than in DeChellis' early years with Battle, Jackson, Jones and shooting guard Stanley Pringle providing energy.

"I think the best part about this team is the speed. We're very, very athletic," Cornley said. "We have some guys who we feel like can play man-to-man against other teams. We're able to rebound and push the tempo."

Cornley has admitted that his listed height of 6-foot-5 may be a bit of a push, though his work ethic and toughness help him keep up with any forward.

At 24, guard Danny Morrissey is a senior citizen by college basketball standards. He needs to provide Penn State a consistent outside shot.

Battle had a promising freshman season with 10.2 points and 3.2 assists, but he wants to be more consistent and help get Penn State back to the postseason.

"I think we've got the pieces to the puzzle to get there as long as we do our part as far as working hard," Battle said. "Building a mind-set of winning and being sick of losing. If we do that, hopefully we can make it to the tournament."

The Nittany Lions defeated Division II Bloomsburg, 77-51, on Sunday in an exhibition game, and the season opens Friday at home versus William & Mary.