As a longtime college basketball analyst who's followed the Big Ten for over fifteen years, I've seen some truly special players come through Penn State's program. While the Nittany Lions might not have the championship pedigree of some conference rivals, they've produced some incredible individual talents who left their mark on one of college basketball's toughest stages. Watching these players develop and dominate has been one of the great pleasures of my career, and today I want to highlight five who truly stood out.
When I think about dominance in the Big Ten, Lamar Stevens immediately comes to mind. The guy was an absolute force during his four years in Happy Valley, finishing as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,207 points. What impressed me most wasn't just the scoring numbers - though his 17.6 points per game as a senior was remarkable - but how he carried the team during their 2019-20 season that would've likely ended with their first NCAA tournament appearance in nearly a decade if not for COVID. Stevens had this old-school physicality that you rarely see in college basketball today, constantly attacking the rim and drawing fouls. I remember specifically watching him against Maryland that season where he just took over in the second half, scoring 15 straight points against one of the best defenses in the conference. His development from a raw freshman to a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior was incredible to witness firsthand.
Then there's Talor Battle, who might be the most exciting player I've ever covered in the Big Ten. The man was pure electricity on the court, holding the program record for career points until Stevens surpassed him. Battle's 2010-11 season was something special - he averaged 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while leading the Nittany Lions to their most recent NCAA tournament appearance and actually winning a game there. I'll never forget his game-winning three-pointer against Illinois in the Big Ten tournament that year. The confidence he played with was just different - you could feel the energy shift whenever he touched the ball. In my opinion, he's still the best clutch shooter Penn State has ever had.
Tim Frazier deserves more recognition than he typically gets when people discuss great Penn State guards. Before his Achilles injury in 2012, he was putting up numbers we hadn't seen from a Nittany Lion in years - 18.8 points and 6.2 assists per game as a junior. What amazed me was how he came back from that devastating injury to still be an impact player. His leadership during the 2013-14 season, mentoring a young D.J. Newbill while still contributing meaningful minutes, showed the kind of character you don't always see in college athletics. Frazier finished his career with 1,506 points and 617 assists, numbers that still rank among the program's best.
Speaking of D.J. Newbill, his story is one of my favorites because he transferred from Southern Mississippi and just blossomed at Penn State. His senior year in 2014-15 was phenomenal - he averaged 20.7 points per game, which actually led the entire Big Ten conference that season. I had the privilege of covering several of his games that year, and his ability to create his own shot was incredible. The game where he dropped 35 points against Michigan in triple overtime stands out in my memory as one of the best individual performances I've seen in person. Newbill had this unique combination of strength and finesse that made him nearly impossible to guard one-on-one.
My fifth spot goes to Mike Watkins, who might be the best defensive player Penn State has ever had. While his scoring numbers don't jump off the page like the others on this list, his impact on games was tremendous. Watkins finished his career as the program's all-time leader in blocks with 250, and his rebounding numbers - particularly on the offensive glass - were consistently among the best in the conference. I remember analyzing his game film from the 2017-18 season and being amazed at how he anchored Penn State's defense. His ability to protect the rim allowed Penn State's perimeter defenders to play more aggressively, knowing he had their backs.
Thinking about these players and their physical dominance in such a demanding conference makes me consider how injuries can impact even the most talented athletes. Just recently, I was reading about June Mar Fajardo in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals dealing with a calf injury - specifically a slight tear that's been hobbling him. It reminded me of how Tim Frazier battled back from his Achilles injury, and it puts into perspective how remarkable these college athletes are to perform at such high levels night after night in the physically brutal Big Ten conference. The wear and tear these players endure throughout a season is tremendous, which makes the consistent dominance of the players I've mentioned even more impressive.
What stands out to me about these five players is how they each brought something different to the court yet all found ways to impose their will on games. Stevens with his physical scoring, Battle with his explosive offensive arsenal, Frazier with his playmaking and resilience, Newbill with his scoring prowess, and Watkins with his defensive presence - they all left indelible marks on Penn State basketball history. Having covered countless Big Ten games throughout my career, I can confidently say these five players would stack up against anyone in the conference during their respective eras. They may not have brought home conference championships, but they earned the respect of opponents and fans alike through their consistently dominant performances in one of college basketball's toughest environments.
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