Talor Battle led Penn State to an NIT Title in 2009

Talor caught a break when Collins dropped out, citing family reasons, and cut the field down to three.  As you probably guessed, given the title of this post, Talor Battle was selected for the team today, along with Corey Fisher, as Nic Wise was cut.  ESPN cited Battle’s strong performance shooting as helping him make the team, while decrying the talent level of Battle and Fisher:

Battle and Fisher proved to be more efficient shooters. (Kansas’ Sherron Collins was supposed to be the starting point guard but pulled out of the competition because of family reasons.)

No one associated with the selection was overwhelmed by the point guard position with Collins out, but Battle and Fisher are expected to suffice, considering the talent at every other position.

Battle will be joined on the team by two other Big Ten players: Ohio State’s Evan Turner and Purdue’s Robbie Hummel.  Probably didn’t hurt their chances that Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan is coaching the team.

FightOnState went a little further in their coverage, passing along a Q&A that Battle had with USA Basketball:

What did it feel like when you learned you had made the team?
“I was relieved. I was nervous going into the room this morning. I’m excited to represent my country, and my family and my university back home.”

Did you feel like you had played well enough at trials to earn a spot on this roster?
“Definitely. I was really trying to get people involved. Going out there, it’s going to take a team effort. I’m not going to be able to score like I do at school. Running the point guard with such great players, I’m going to have to get people involved.”

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what your role with this team might be?
“Definitely. I don’t really think there are going to be any go-to-guys. A lot of guys here can score. The majority of the guys are the leading scorers on their teams. Everyone has to buy in to really playing as a team and sacrifice, maybe taking less shots and doing other things.”

This could be Talor Battle’s coming-out party.  Sure, we know all about Battle, but a big performance at the World University Games might launch him into superstardom among the upper echelons of college basketball players.  Interestingly, Dana O’Neil, in a story today, listed Battle in her A-Z guide for the 2009-2010 basketball season, saying:

B is for Talor Battle, the best player too many people have never heard of. Battle led Penn State to the postseason NIT title, which was great for the Nittany Lions but not so much for Battle’s Q rating. If the guard, who dropped 29 in a win at Michigan State, ends PSU’s eight-year NCAA tournament drought, he’ll finally get his name in lights.

It really is great to see the hard work these player put in to get Penn State on the map finally recognized by the mainstream media.  Sure, it’ll be an uphill ride for Battle to lead a Jamelle Cornley( and Stanley Pringle)-less team to the Big Dance, if anyone could do it, it’s Talor.

The World University Games will take place from July 2nd to the 11th in Belgrade, Serbia, and the team will continue to practice in Colorado Springs through next week.  We here at quebecpenspinning think we speak for all of Nittany Nation when we wish Battle the best.  Good luck Talor, and U-S-A, U-S-A!