I was one of the biggest dissenters.
I was down on Penn State's basketball program and its coach, Ed DeChellis.
But I believe that it's time to give credit where credit is due. Sandwiched between losses to Ohio State, Penn State ran off a four-game streak where it held its opponents to an average of less than 50 points per game.
Most of the year, I was judging the coach and team by what I was seeing on the offensive end of the floor. I should know that the game is played on two ends, and that the late-season run was due mostly to what State did on defense.
In the game prior to the loss to Ohio State, Penn State held Northwestern to 52 points. In the Big Ten tourney, the Lions held Wisconsin to 43 fewer points than they did during a loss on Feb. 20.
I'm not saying that I'm ready to launch a "keep Ed" campaign, but I rooted for the Lions during the NCAA tourney.
It feels good to be back on the bandwagon again.
Tony Labriola
Altoona
Eating some crow
The Penn State men's basketball team had one very important goal, and that was to get to the Big Dance.
At 6 p.m. Sunday, they heard their name called as one of the teams to enter the NCAA Tournament of 68.
I'm sure the boys in blue and white enjoyed every minute of play, even in the loss to Temple. This team peaked at the right time.
It seems Ed DeChellis has nine lives to live another day. I believe AD Tim Curley will reward him and his staff with at least another three-year contract extension or maybe even a five-year extension.
I lost my bet with Neil Rudel when I said in a letter some weeks ago that there was no way that the Nittany Lions would go to the Big Dance but that the Lady Lions would.
Well, both teams are in the big party. In the meantime, I am going to eat crow for not having any confidence in the men's team.
Les Hart
Duncansville
