Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1541990
4 0 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State head coach Mike Rhoades had already voiced his concerns. Guiding a young and inexperienced group of Nittany Lions this season, he acknowledged the challenges that would accompany the circumstances. The Lions opened their Big Ten season on Dec. 9 at Indiana. They traded buckets with the Hoosiers early in the game be- fore a string of defensive lapses prompted a timeout by Rhoades. Trying to trade youth for a glimmer of experience on the court, he was left with little recourse. "They go on a run, I'm looking out there and there's four freshmen. Or, three freshmen and new guys," Rhoades said. "It is what it is. No excuses." The trickle turned into an avalanche. What began as a 17-12 deficit turned into a 47-16 bludgeoning and eventu- ally a 113-72 defeat. Lamar Wilkerson was a human wrecking ball for the Hoo- siers, taking advantage of a Penn State defense that overcompensated for his early three-point makes. Even when he subbed out, the hosts kept pouring in buckets, with PSU's offensive miscues leading to more defensive woes. By the time freshman guard Me- lih Tunca scored in the lane to send the game to the final media timeout of the first half, the foundational les- son for the rest of Penn State's season was formed. Even after Rhoades called two 30-second timeouts, the Nittany MEN'S BASKETBALL Pulling Out All The Stops A lopsided loss at Indiana highlights the need for improved defense NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M 2025-26 Penn State Schedule Date Opponent Time/TV Oct. 19 at Dayton (Exh.) L, 78-62 Oct. 26 SHIPPENSBURG (Exh.) W, 86-67 Nov. 3 FAIRFIELD W, 76-68 Nov. 8 at New Haven W, 87-43 Nov. 11 NAVY W, 80-71 Nov. 15 La Salle* W, 83-69 Nov. 19 HARVARD W, 84-80 Nov. 22 Providence** L, 77-65 Nov. 25 BOSTON U. W, 96-87 Nov. 29 SACRED HEART W, 90-59 Dec. 2 CAMPBELL W, 87-76 Dec. 9 at Indiana L, 113-72 Dec. 13 MICHIGAN STATE Noon/BTN Dec. 21 Pitt^ Noon/BTN Dec. 29 N.C. CENTRAL 1 p.m./BTN Jan. 3 Illinois^^ 7 p.m./BTN Jan. 6 MICHIGAN 7 p.m./FS1 Jan. 10 at Purdue 2 p.m./BTN Jan. 14 UCLA 8:30 p.m./FS1 Jan. 18 at Maryland Noon/BTN Jan. 22 WISCONSIN 7 p.m./FS1 Jan. 26 at Ohio State 7 p.m./FS1 Jan. 29 at Northwestern 8 p.m./Peacock Feb. 1 MINNESOTA 2 p.m./Peacock Feb. 5 at Michigan 6:30 p.m./FS1 Feb. 8 USC Noon/BTN Feb. 11 at Washington 10:30 p.m./BTN Feb. 14 at Oregon 3 p.m./BTN Feb. 18 RUTGERS 6 p.m./BTN Feb. 21 at Nebraska 2 p.m./BTN Feb. 28 IOWA Noon/BTN Mar. 4 OHIO STATE 7:30 p.m./Peacock Mar. 8 at Rutgers Noon/BTN Mar. 10-15 Big Ten Tournament # TBA * at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia ** Hall of Fame Showcase at Uncasville, Conn. ^ at Giant Center, Hershey, Pa. ^^ at the Palestra, Philadelphia # at United Center, Chicago Coach Mike Rhoades has seen signs of potential but is seeking more consistency from a Nittany Lion team that is relying heavily on freshmen. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS