The Penn State Nittany Lions men’s basketball team had high hopes for the 2009-10 season. Now, four games into the season, doubts are already creeping into the heads of fans and players alike.

Yesterday UNC Wilmington, who was 0-2 with losses to Appalachian State and George Washington, beat Penn State 80-69 in the quarterfinal round of the Charleston Classic. So instead of advancing to play Miami today (a game that would look good on a tournament resume) the Nittany Lions were matched up with Tulane in a loser’s bracket consolation game.

Unfortunately, for Penn State (2-2), they lost to Tulane today 63-60.

These are two devastating loses for the Nittany Lions because they are the types of games that the selection committee will look at and infer that Penn State does not belong in the NCAA Tournament field.

I’m not saying the season is over by any means, but Penn State has just dug them a hole that they will have to climb out of all season long.

The Nittany Lions will next play for seventh place in the Charleston Classic on Sunday against the loser of Davidson and La Salle, who play tonight at 7 p.m. It will be a must win for Penn State.