Battle can't stop Penn State from losing
STATE COLLEGE — A bump here, a shove there — Talor Battle gets quite the workout from defenders while trying to get open for shots.
It's the least of coach Ed DeChellis' worries at struggling Penn State.
Another fine season for Battle isn't translating into wins for the Nittany Lions (8-16, 0-12 Big Ten), off to a school-worst league start and the team's longest losing streak in four years. Battle is the only player in the six BCS conferences to lead his team in points (19.5 per game), rebounds (5.3), assists (3.8) and steals (1.2).
Penn State is also one of two BCS conference teams still winless in conference play, with LSU sporting an 0-11 record in the Southeastern Conference. The Nittany Lions' next game is today at Northwestern.
This isn't the way Penn State wanted to follow up on its 2009 NIT championship.
"The way I have to come off screens and get open this year is a lot more difficult than last year. I do a lot more running this year," Battle said before a recent practice.
"People tell me after the game, 'I don't know how you just run around like that for the whole game.' Sometimes I don't know how I do it either, but I'm just trying to get open."
Battle's teammates haven't stepped up on a consistent basis to take the heat off the star.
No other Nittany Lion is scoring in double figures, though forward David Jackson has managed to increase his scoring output in conference games (10.6 points) compared to his season average (9.2).
Battle faces more double teams and fresh bodies from opposing defenses, wearing down the do-everything point guard.
"By the end of the game, I'm like a rag doll every time I come off a screen or go to the hoop," the junior said.
In his seventh year coaching at his alma mater, DeChellis hasn't found the right supporting cast to surround Battle.
Jackson has been the team's second-best player, a small forward who plays solid defense and scrapes for rebounds and loose balls. But he's not a go-to scorer who demands the ball when Battle is tied up.
Sophomore guard Chris Babb probably has the team's smoothest shooting touch, but hasn't shown enough consistency on offense to be a reliable scoring option.
It's up front where Penn State has taken the biggest step back.
Center/forward Andrew Jones has regressed after a promising sophomore season, in part suffering from a lack of second-low post threat. That part was played to perfection last season by emotional leader and power forward Jamelle Cornley, who has since graduated.
A frustrated DeChellis sometimes sounds as if he's out of answers. Coaches have tried to be more demanding at times, and have let up at other points.
"We've tried different lineups, we've tried film, we've tried all different things," he said. "I keep saying and pounding into our guys, somehow this is going to build character."
