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NCAA: Can Penn State’s D.J. Newbill Lead the Upset Over the Wisconsin Badgers?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Dec 10, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Duquesne Dukes forward Jeremiah Jones (23) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) drives to the basket at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeats Duquesne 64-62. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Duquesne Dukes forward Jeremiah Jones (23) defends as Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) drives to the basket at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeats Duquesne 64-62. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Penn State Nittany Lions have a 12-1 record and need a signature win. Can their star shooting guard D.J. Newbill lead Penn State to one against the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers?

One time the Los Angeles Lakers starting shooting guard, Kobe Bryant, said this about the Brooklyn Nets starting point guard, Deron Williams when he was struggling in a playoff game in the 2013-14 season against the Miami Heat:

"“Deron Williams went like 0-for-9. I was like, ‘Can you believe Deron Williams went 0-9?’ Kobe was like, ‘I would go 0-30 before I would go 0-9. 0-9 means you beat yourself, you psyched yourself out of the game, because Deron Williams can get more shots in the game. The only reason is because you’ve just now lost confidence in yourself.’”"

The one player that can resonate with this quote is the Penn State Nittany Lions 6’4 shooting guard, D.J. Newbill. Because of their star guard, the Penn State basketball program is bringing excitement to the dying conference known as the Big Ten. For a school mostly known for their NFL stars, the biggest star that Penn State has on the basketball front is Calvin Booth, who played center in the NBA back in 1999-2009. Newbill now gives Penn State someone relatable in the modern era and Penn State now has a respectable presence within college basketball.

Dec 3, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) drives to the basket against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State wins 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) drives to the basket against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State wins 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports /

For everyone that’s seen Newbill play, or any opponent that has ever had to guard him, then they understand his game as Bryant’s earlier statement.

Similar to Bryant, Newbill is a native Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hero and playing against him is like playing ping-pong against the wall. No matter how hard anyone tries, he’s going to keep coming back, and back, and back until his opponent quits.

Newbill has the heart of one of the best players in college basketball. In fact it was his heart that landed him at Penn State. Back in 2010 Newbill signed a letter of intent to become a member of the Marquette Golden Eagles and get coached by Buzz Williams.

Long story short, Newbill’s letter of intent wasn’t honored because of Jamil Wilson from Oregon joining the program and Newbill found himself playing for the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. After making the Conference USA All Freshman team he then decided to transfer close to home and play for one of the best local schools he knows, Penn State.

After all of the drama of his previous recruiting experiences Newbill has landed in a great space at Penn State. Since joining their program he hasn’t averaged less than 16 points per game and has torched opponents that dare attempt to stop him.

Nov 14, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) defends Morgan State Bears guard Blake Bozeman (22), Penn State wins 61-48 at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) defends Morgan State Bears guard Blake Bozeman (22), Penn State wins 61-48 at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports /

Now in his senior year at Penn State, Newbill is averaging 21.4 points per game which is good enough for 11th in all of college basketball. In addition Newbill has his team with a 12-1 record and an opportunity to pull of one of the biggest upsets in college basketball.

Penn State has to travel to the Kohl Center to play the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers, in a game that features two players that could win the Big Ten Player of the Year award in Newbill, and Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky.

Newbill has the opportunity to set himself up as a campus legend pulling off an upset of this caliber. When he does manage to pull off the upset, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Newbill is already known around campus for not only being a great scorer, but also for having sole responsibility for reeling off another magical moment in his career. One of which was the day when he defeated the No. 23 Ohio State Buckeyes on the road. More impressively Newbill hit the game winning jumper over the all-world defender, Aaron Craft.

When Penn State has to take the floor against Wisconsin, if Newbill can manage to single-handedly lead the upset it could not only leave Penn State with a ranking beginning next week, it would also give them a signature NCAA Tournament win. Penn State already has wins against schools such as Virginia Tech (who ironically is coached by Buzz Williams), USC, Bucknell and Akron. However this win would be a huge victory because the Big Ten conference only has three schools which are ranked within the top 25, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 15 Maryland and No. 21 Ohio State.

Can Newbill set himself up as a campus legend?

Next: SEC: Will Dorian Finney-Smith Lead Florida?