When Ed DeChellis took the helm at Penn State last April, he discovered a program short on discipline. So in his first meeting with a Nittany Lions outfit smarting from consecutive 7-21 seasons, he laid down an ultimatum: Shape up or the rebuilding process in Happy Valley will go on without you.

"We really needed to restore accountability," the Penn State grad and former Lions assistant said.

Accountability on the floor, where PSU had become one of the worst rebounding teams in the Big Ten. Accountability in the weight room, where the offseason routine increased from three to five days per week. And accountability away from the floor, where cutting classes and skipping tutoring sessions would not be tolerated.

"I don't know how things were run in the past," DeChellis said. "But I know how things are going to run in the future."

FRONTCOURT

Aaron Johnson led the Big Ten in total rebounds (in league games) as a walk-on freshman last season, but beyond the brawny 265-pounder the Lions offered little in the way of muscle.

To improve toughness, DeChellis will borrow the "War Drill" from Michigan State's Tom Izzo, his pal from their days as opposing assistants in the league. The concept: Send two teams onto the floor in practice, throw the ball off the backboard and watch a no-holds-barred scrum erupt. Losers run sprints.

The primary beneficiary should be junior center Jan Jagla, a gifted 7-foot German import who has done little to disprove the stereotype that European players are soft. Jagla has the ball skills of a small forward, but lay a body on him and he struggles.

Jagla also should benefit from practicing against freshman John Kelly, who at 6-foot-11, 265 pounds is State's first natural center since John Amaechi.

Johnson has the opposite problem of Jagla. He's a beast on the glass but lacks the lift and finesse to consistently finish on offense.

Robert Summers is the most well-rounded Penn State big man. He's a strong defender, can score in the paint and rebounds consistently. He tailed off a bit toward the end of his rookie campaign, but he should be more prepared this winter after a year in the PSU weight and conditioning program.

The team's lone scholarship senior is athletic Ndu Egekeze, whose career has been slowed by a series of injuries. Egekeze is an aggressive (if undersized) defender but has no offensive game.

The most interesting prospect inside is 6-9 junior Jason McDougald, who was mishandled by Jerry Dunn and his staff. McDougald should have redshirted to add bulk as a skinny freshman but did not. He spent most of last season on the bench after locking horns with Dunn in practice.

BACKCOURT

The departures of Brandon Watkins and Sharif Chambliss leave Penn State with an inexperienced guard corps. The competition for the point position should be fun to watch.

True freshman Ben Luber appears to be the front-runner. Though undersized at 6-foot, 175, he has a terrific handle and tremendous passing skills. He can score off the dribble, but his long-range shooting must improve for him to survive in the Big Ten. He seems a natural to run the up-tempo style DeChellis hopes to implement.

Luber will have to beat out Brandon Cameron, who struggled while backing up Watkins last winter. Cameron is an excellent defender whose lack of offensive patience is a liability.

Another freshman, New York City star Marlon Smith, could work his way into the point guard mix should Luber and Cameron falter. Otherwise, DeChellis insists the 6-foot Smith will begin his career at shooting guard. Smith can slash through gaps or score from beyond the arc.

DeForrest Riley will man one of the wing spots. He is the team's best 3-point shooter and is slick enough with the ball to play the point in a pinch. If he can improve his scoring off the dribble, he'll make a run at all-conference honors.

FINAL ANALYSIS

DeChellis was a natural fit for Penn State after Dunn was let go. He rebuilt East Tennessee State into a consistent winner and capped his seven-year run with the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992. His task now is much more difficult. Penn State has enjoyed just one winning Big Ten season since joining the league in 1992-93, and the Nittany Lions have won a total of 14 games over the past two seasons.

There isn't likely to be an early splash, but the Lions will play hard and show steady improvement with DeChellis in charge. Will this translate into more wins in 2003-04? Possibly. But the Lions are still a year or two away from legitimate postseason talk.

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