Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525333
4 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M W hen he met with reporters in July to discuss the Penn State men's basketball team's sum- mer practice sessions, head coach Mike Rhoades said so much in what he didn't say. Preparing for his second season in charge of the program, Rhoades de- scribed the chemistry of a team that was blending eight newcomers with a group of five key returnees. The Nittany Li- ons had coalesced quickly, he said, and the smooth acclimation process had in- spired optimism about the season ahead. "We've had a lot of good work. We have a group of guys here who have been living in the gym this summer, so I've been really, really proud of that," Rhoades said. "I like our approach. I like how well these guys have meshed with eight new faces. And I think the older guys, our five seniors, have done a re- ally good job of bringing the young guys along, getting them to understand what we're trying to do around here. "I think it's been a productive sum- mer. There's been a lot of work, and a lot of guys have already improved their bodies. Their skill level is getting bet- ter. [We aim to] get a little bit better ev- ery week, and I think we've been doing that." Translation: Penn State hadn't been able to create the same environment a season ago when the staff had to scram- ble to find 10 scholarship players in only two months. The handful of return- ing players had trouble meshing with Rhoades' two transplants from Virginia Commonwealth, as well as the eight other transfers into the program. Amid all those changes, it was difficult to in- still the shared sense of purpose that every team needs for success. Penn State went on to finish 16-17 overall and 9-11 in the Big Ten, a solid showing given the difficult circum- stances, but Rhoades' ambitions are higher. The first step toward improve- ment in 2024-25 was to have a produc- tive eight-week summer workout pro- gram, and by all accounts, that's what Rhoades got. In early August, with the team's drills winding down, he said he was pleased with what he had seen to that point. "I think we have versatile depth, more than I thought. And I thought we did [have depth], but just watching and be- ing with them every day … we have more guys that can play multiple positions," Rhoades said. "I think our lineups could really vary throughout the year. "The new guys have impacted our program very positively. The way they act, the type of teammates they are, how they're living in the gym all the time, their approach — that's how you build a program. High character with good tal- ent is a good combination." Included in that versatility compo- nent is length that Penn State didn't have last season. Penn State ranked 13th in the Big Ten in rebounding last year, averaging 32.3 boards per game. Rhoades and his staff were determined to address that deficiency when they chose which transfers to pursue, and they ended up adding seven players who stand 6-foot-5 or taller. MEN'S BASKETBALL Rhoades said Penn State enjoyed a productive summer while working to integrate eight newcomers into its lineup ahead of the 2024-25 season. PHOTO BY THOMAS FRANK CARR Mike Rhoades Likes Lions' Cohesiveness In Summer Drills NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M