FightOnState quotes a Penn State press release for the scoop on this one. Sorry, David Jones.

I’m not going to get my undies in a bunch over this news. Adam Highberger was awarded a scholarship this season, because we had one open, but he was a walk-on who’d put in his time, graduated, and saw no reason to waste his time at practices and sitting on the end of the bench for another season.  After seeing a grand total of 14 minutes the previous three seasons combined, Adam played 52 minutes for Penn State this season, most at the very beginning of the season. A smooth shooter, 13 of his 16 attempted shots came from beyond the arc. He won’t really be missed, though we wish him the best in his future, non-basketball, endeavors.

The departure of Andrew Ott, though thoroughly expected, is one I’m having trouble grasping. Ott had been a highly recruited player out of high school–most big men who are at least somewhat competent seem to be, and chose Villanova over a host of perennial tournament teams. After less than half a season, though, Ott realized that he wasn’t cut out for the big time, and transferred to Penn State.  After sitting out the first part of the season due to the transfer rules, he saw some playing time in the Big Ten slate–7 minutes a game–as the first big man off the bench.  This year, he got far more burn, especially with the struggles of Andrew Jones. Though Ott played just 11 minutes a game, he was called upon for 6 starts, and put together some nice efforts, including a 13-point, 7-rebound effort against Indiana.  More importantly, perhaps, he was the catalyst for the newest Bryce Jordan Center promotion, 1-dollar “Ott dogs.”

Seriously, though, Ott was a solid backup center for this team, though I don’t fault him for wanting to get along with his life after basketball. Despite his propitious size, Andrew was never going to have a career in the sport after his college playing days, and saw no reason to spend countless hours in practices and on the bench. This decision was long anticipated and expected, and clears up a scholarship that Ed had already been trying to fill. Presumably, it’ll go to a Juco big man, who can step in and take Ott’s minutes immediately.

It feels like just yesterday that Penn State was closing out its season on a high note after the disparity of 0-12–picking up 3 wins in the final 6 games, with some valiant efforts against superior teams mixed in. Surely, the team was hitting its stride late, and, with the same group as a whole to be returning next year, a vast improvement wasn’t just hoped for, it was expected.

But now, if that improvement isn’t so tangible, Ed and his apologists have another out. With 4 players (3 important ones) having already left the program, and rumblings suggesting another transfer still coming, Mr. DeChellis will have an excuse if the Lions struggle once again next year.  Now, of course, this isn’t a professional league where Ed only works with what the GM gives him–Ed’s responsible not just for coaching his players, but for building and maintaining a roster. It’s his job to keep these kids here, and–surprise, surprise–it’s another task he’s bad at.

Next year will be better than this one, at least in terms of wins and losses. Talor Battle will return, and, barring something scary, Taran Buie will join him. D.J. Jackson blossomed into a legitimate second or third option by the end of the year and, given how crazy his career has been, it really wouldn’t surprise me if Jeff Brooks became a force to be reckoned with.  We may have lost all our depth, but 3-16 is a tough standard to beat, in terms of futility. But that accepted, it’s shocking and terrifying just how many players want to get as far away from this program as possible.