Penn State Nittany Lions Score Huge Boost With Tim Frazier Being Granted Fifth Year of Eligibility

The Penn State Nittany Lions have not won a game within the NCAA Tournament since 2001. In fact, they have only qualified for the Big Dance once in that span (2011).

Now, let’s not go off the deep end say that those are the Nittany Lions’ expectations in 2013-14, but the team did receive a huge boost on Wednesday afternoon when the NCAA granted Penn State guard Tim Frazier a fifth year of eligibility. Frazier is a prolific scorer and had been a budding superstar in the Big Ten Conference heading into this past season. However, Frazier’s 2012-13 campaign was cut short just four games into his senior season by a torn Achilles.

Well, Frazier will now get another season to play at Penn State and will virtually re-do his senior year as a fifth year player. Frazier averaged 18.8 points per game in 2011-12, his last full season on the court. In addition to his offensive ability, Frazier also averaged 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game that same year.

With Frazier’s return, the Nittany Lions should more than be improved next season. Throw in the likes of D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall and head coach Pat Chambers has three 15+ point scorers at his disposal. Needless to say, Penn State better improve on their mark next season with that type of firepower. It has seemed like an eternity since Penn State was relevant in the Big Ten, although they are only two years removed from the days of Talor Battle and a birth within the NCAA Tournament.

Penn State was just 10-21 a season ago, but with Frazier back in the fold, just how big of a turnaround can they have next season?

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS