Sports

The Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE — Making the NIT semifinals is a childhood dream come true for Penn State’s Talor Battle.

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Sophomore point guard Talor Battle of Penn State leaves the court after his team defeated Florida 71-62 in the NIT quarterfinals on Tuesday in Gainesville, Fla. The victory earned the Lions a semifinals game against Notre Dame on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Not the tournament itself, mind you — the Nittany Lions, after all, were hoping to get invited to the NCAA field.

But for Battle, a native of Albany, N.Y., getting a chance to play at Madison Square Garden in New York City isn’t a bad consolation prize.

“I never played in the Garden, but I always wanted to play there,” the sophomore point guard said.

It’s the biggest stage yet for Battle’s promising collegiate career. The Big Ten’s leading scorer has helped Penn State (25-11) tie a school-record for wins despite getting snubbed for the NCAA tourney in large part because of a weak nonleague schedule.

The NIT semifinal matchup Tuesday night against Notre Dame will be played on one of the sport’s best-known arenas, against another big-name school with a national following better known for its football team.

About 50 to 75 of Battle’s family and friends are planning to be there, many of them making the 2 1/2 -hour drive from Albany down the New York State Thruway.

The fan club will include at least one of Battle’s seven siblings — younger brother, Taran Buie, a highly rated recruit from Battle’s alma mater, Bishop Maginn High School. Battle said both Penn State and Notre Dame are on his brother’s list of possible college destinations.

Even longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is making the trip back to his native New York to root on the basketball team. A postseason run this deep into March is rather unusual for Penn State hoops.

“They’ve played some great basketball,” Paterno said.

Battle’s clutch shooting has played a huge role in the Nittany Lions’ success. His penchant for dramatic shots in the waning moments of close games has earned him nicknames like “Captain Clutch” and “Mr. Big Shot.”

That last one has a bit of an ironic twist since the 5-foot-11 Battle is usually the shortest guy on the floor. But Battle said he doesn’t typically demand the ball from coach Ed DeChellis in tight spots.

“I don’t say it so rude: ‘Give me the ball,”’ he said with a slight grin. “I kind of ask for it. It depends on the situation. ... He has confidence in me; I’m grateful.”

Battle presents more of a conundrum for opponents when he’s hitting from the outside, which may force defenders to guard him closer. That, in turn, could give Battle a chance to use his quickness to blow past them for a drive to the bucket.

“He hates to lose,” DeChellis said. “He plays with confidence ... on the floor and in practice.”

Battle’s sophomore classmates Jeff Brooks and David Jackson have also helped Penn State in its NIT run.

They follow the lead of senior captain Jamelle Cornley, who scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds at Florida despite a bum left shoulder to send Penn State to New York.