Funny how these things turn out. The highest-rated recruit in Penn State basketball history, guard Taran Buie, recently left that program. He had been suspended for violating team rules as a freshman.
As in Dayton with Staten, hopes had been high for Buie, who dramatically announced his college choice by stepping onto the team bus and shaking coach Ed DeChellis’s hand hours after the Nittany Lions won the NIT in 2009.
As if on cue, in steps Staten. Ironic, though, that in his quest for a brighter spotlight, Staten chose a school where it rarely shines on his sport. Penn State, as we know, is football first, last and always. He might as well have gone to Alabama.
DeChellis no doubt has consented to make Staten the focal point of the offense, which he probably would have been next season at Dayton with Chris Wright departing and a new coach arriving.
Odder yet, Penn State made the NCAA tournament only to lose to Temple, a school in Dayton’s conference, the Atlantic 10.
Staten is in the Big Ten, sure. But assuming nobody put an SUV in his driveway, it’s hard to see where he’s that much better off.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author