Battle, DeChellis earn Big Ten honors

◊ You can't say Ed DeChellis isn't making progress in Happy Valley. Penn State is one good conference tournament win away from a sure NCAA tournament bid. The Lions boast the media's Coach of the Year, as well as first, second and honorable mention Big Ten selections.

"Penn State coach Ed DeChellis was named the Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year by conference media voters and sophomore guard Talor Battle (Albany, N.Y.) earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both conference coaches and media when the Big Ten post-season awards were announced Monday. Senior forward Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio) also earned second-team selection from the media and third-team honors from the coaches and senior guard Stanley Pringle(Virginia Beach, Va.) was an honorable-mention pick from both. Andrew Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.) was named Penn State's sportsmanship award winner."

Things are looking up for Penn State basketball.

More below the fold...

2008 All-Big Ten Selections

Penn State had a fantastic showing on both the media and coaches' 2008 All-Big Ten teams. I would take some issue with a few selections, some you probably wouldn't expect. But first, the 2008 All-Big Ten Teams:

I actually don't think Derrick Williams should have made the first team as a receiver. The conference should select a return specialist, or all-purpose player. Then I would tab Williams as the best in the Big Ten. But as a receiver, Deon Butler should have gotten some love. You would think after his final performance (3 TD catches vs MSU) of a great career, the coaches and media would have selected him to at least the second team. I also am very surprised that Anthony Scirrotto made the first team, but Lydell Sargeant didn't (he made the media team, but not the coaches). HONORABLE MENTION, COACHES: PENN STATE: Jeremy Boone, Tony Davis, Dennis Landolt, Jordan Norwood, Mark Rubin, Tyrell Sales, Lydell Sargeant.

The media selections seemed a bit more on the mark, especially with the offense. Williams and Butler were both on the second team, which is fine by me. But on defense, I think Jared Odrick deserved the nod for first team honors. Both Scirrotto and Sargeant made second team defense. HONORABLE MENTION, MEDIA: PENN STATE: Jeremy Boone, Tony Davis, Josh Gaines, Dennis Landolt, Mark Rubin, Stefen Wisniewski.

One more thing you may be surprised to read here, but I wouldn't have been too surprised, or upset, if Joe Paterno did not get coach of the year. I mean, sure, my homer vote would have gone to Paterno, but if I were to be truly unbiased it would have been tough to pick.

My other top choices were, in voting order:
1) Tim Brewster, Minnesota;
2) Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern;
3) Mark D'Antonio, Michigan State.

Link: 2008 All-Big Ten Teams, via BigTen.cstv.org

*Ed.-Check back in a little while, and I'll have my top 25 posted.

More below the fold...