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Penn State interim coach Jim Ferry praised by fans, media after Nittany Lions upset Wisconsin
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Penn State defeated Wisconsin for the first time since 2011 on Saturday afternoon, and that win has some fans wondering if coach Jim Ferry’s “interim” title will be removed.
Ferry took over for Pat Chambers near the end of the offseason.
Despite the adversity of losing their head coach and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, the Nittany Lions turned in an impressive season so far. Penn State has two wins over ranked opponents, including its 81-71 victory over the Badgers on Saturday.
While Chambers had some success at State College, he never made the NCAA Tournament in nine years on the job (although he likely would have made it in 2019 if not for the pandemic canceling the Big Dance).
But now Ferry, thrust into a tough situation, may have the Nittany Lions in position to make the tournament for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
According to KenPom.com, the Nittany Lions (6-7) are currently the No. 36 team in the country. That’s up five spots from before tipoff vs. the Badgers. If they can hold in the mid 30s, an NCAA Tournament berth seems likely.
With the win, Wisconsin moves into Joe Lunardi’s “Next Four Out” section of his Bracketology report. There’s still work to be done, but that’s progress.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) January 30, 2021
Here’s some of the reaction to Ferry’s performance so far this season, including a few suggestions that Penn State make him the permanent head coach.
Final: Penn State 81, No. 14 #Badgers 71. Patrick Chambers couldn't beat UW, but interim coach Jim Ferry gets it done in his first try.
— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) January 30, 2021
If Penn State can put together a run and make the tournament, Jim Ferry interim coach for life
— Jake (@JShenot) January 30, 2021
you have to love the job jim ferry is doing as an interim at Penn State. has lions playing hard every game. good win over wisconsin
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) January 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/CoachFinamore/status/1355640725858377729
Jim Ferry make a serious run to have “interim” removed from his title of @PennStateMBB.
— Richard Thornton (@CoachRich68) January 30, 2021
I believe Jim Ferry will be the head coach of Penn State basketball again next year.
— CLIFFSZN (@CLIFFSZN) January 30, 2021
A blizzard is about to hit the Northeast, but Jim Ferry should still get all the dessert he wants from the creamery in State College.
Penn State tops Wisconsin in Happy Valley.
Can the Nittany Lions play their way onto the bubble?
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 30, 2021
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.