Knees one of the keys for Penn State

AP PHOTO Freshman forward Tyler Smith will add some depth to a talented Penn State frontcourt that features senior Calvin Booth.

Try as he might, Penn State coach Jerry Dunn is going to have a hard time shifting the focus of his team's 1998-99 campaign away from injuries and onto the season at hand. Even with 6-foot-11 center Calvin Booth - the returning Big Ten defensive player of the year - in the mix, Dunn knows the success of the Nittany Lions relies heavily upon the recovery of a couple of valuable knees.

The Golden Gophers are the defending NIT champs, but with their tandem of Lewis and Clark, they might 'discover' the NCAA tournament again.

One belongs to 3-point specialist Dan Earl, a senior guard who is in his sixth year after petitioning the NCAA for extended eligibility. Earl, who will be stepping in for graduated guard Pete Lisicky, is finally returning to the hardwood after missing two consecutive seasons with knee injuries.

The other golden knee for Dunn is that of forward Jarrett Stephens, a versatile sixth man who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Penn State's NIT semifinal victory over Georgia last March. The senior's status is still in question. While Earl will be ready for the start of the season, the earliest Stephens is expected back is November - but with delays, he may redshirt.

"We have some question marks in terms of injuries, but we have to get the job done irregardless of their status," Dunn said. "Danny is practicing one day on, one day off. Jarrett is a little bit ahead of where we thought he'd be.

"Danny will be put into game situations quicker than Jarrett. Jarrett will be 50-50 in terms of playing this season and it will certainly be up to him."

With these question marks surrounding the Lions' den, Booth is going to have to be an even bigger presence than he was a season ago. And after a summer playing under Minnesota coach Clem Haskins' Goodwill Games team, Booth seems poised for an even bigger year. Already Penn State's career leader in blocks, Booth needs 33 to supplant former Iowa star Acie Earl as the Big Ten's career leader.

Booth "is playing with a lot more confidence now," Dunn said. "Down the stretch last year, he became - showed signs of becoming - a go-to guy."

Buoyed by the play of Booth, Penn State guards Joe Crispin, Titus Ivory and Greg Grays will have time to develop into the kind of playmaker Earl can be, and Lisicky was. All three received significant court time last season when Earl went down after five games, which should pay off this year for Dunn, as his injured Lions recover.

- Pranay Reddy

Lewis and Clark ready to blaze

AP PHOTO

Every year in college basketball, a group of players is tagged early in the season with a cute nickname, and ridden endlessly all season long in magazines and newspapers - ad nauseam.

This year, of course, is no different. Following in the footsteps of Michigan's Fab Five and Arkansas' May-Day duo (Lee Mayberry and Todd Day), Minnesota coach Clem Haskins and the Golden Gophers present (drumroll, please) Lewis and Clark.

No, no - not those trailblazing pioneers of yore, but in fact, Minnesota's exciting pair of forward Quincy Lewis and guard Kevin Clark. Clever, huh? Regardless, the two are the heart and soul of the Gophers this season, and will have the most say on whether they are successful or not this season.

Second in both scoring and rebounding with 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Lewis is primed to step into his role as leader of the Gophers. Lewis was Minnesota's most consistent player last season, posting double-digits in scoring in 29 of the Gophers' 35 games.

On the flipside of Lewis' consistency is the explosiveness of Clark, who averaged 29 points in the NIT finals as the Gophers took the crown - while Clark snagged Most Valuable Player honors.

"In Quincy and Kevin, we have two of the premier scorers in the country," Haskins said. "They both can score inside and from the perimeter and give us two proven go-to players when we need a basket."

Rounding out the lineup for Minnesota is 7-foot freshman sensation Joel Przybilla, a McDonald's All-American. Already a state hero from his prep school career in Monticello, Minn., Przybilla has lofty expectations set for him by the Minnesota faithful - and Haskins isn't necessarily quieting their excitement, either.

"In due time he will be one of the top centers in the conference and the country." Haskins said.

With Przybilla stepping in at center, Haskins can finally slide Miles Tarver into position at power forward, pushing Lewis into his natural place on the floor, as a high-scoring small forward. While Tarver excels defensively and at rebounding, his offensive game remains a question. But Haskins has never asked for more from the senior.

"I expect hard play, good strong defense and rebounding the ball" from Tarver, Haskins said. He'll be "shooting once or twice a month."

That should be OK though. It just means more room for Lewis and Clark to blaze their trails to the basket.

- Pranay Reddy

11-12-98