Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542734
4 4 F E B R 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 THREE STARS 1. Freddie Dilione V | G | R-Jr. Called into an elevated role in the absence of Kayden Mingo, who missed three games in Janu- ary with a broken nose, Dilione delivered two of his best performances of the season. Against No. 2 Michigan on Jan. 6, he scored 17 points in 38 minutes, and he followed four days later with a season-high 25 points and 5 assists versus No. 5 Purdue. 2. Ivan Jurić | F | Fr. Penn State's most viable big man on both ends of the floor this season, the true freshman from Croatia has carried a heavy load entering the heart of the Big Ten schedule. His 20 points against Michigan were crucial, followed by a near double-double at Purdue with 10 rebounds and 9 points. 3. Dominick Stewart | G | So. Although Stewart has struggled at times to find his shot — a requirement for one of the best shooters on Penn State's roster — his improved defense helped spark an offensive flourish at the midpoint of his second year in the program. He scored 16 points against UCLA on Jan. 14, then totaled 17 on 7-of-12 shooting against Maryland in four days later. KEY MOMENT Head coach Mike Rhoades lamented his team's inconsistency following a 96-73 loss at Maryland on Jan. 18. As in many of the Nittany Lions' other setbacks en route to a 9-9 record through mid- January, an opponent made shots early, creating a hole too deep to escape. After Penn State took an early lead with Mingo back in the lineup following a three-game injury absence, the advantage evaporated when Diggy Coit began putting together a career afternoon. Coit hit 9 three-pointers and totaled 43 points, helping the host Terrapins turn a narrow edge into a 30-point halftime lead. "We really struggle when we don't defend and we let the other team get loose," Rhoades said after watching the Terps hit 18 of 34 three-point attempts as a team. "We've seen that a few times this year." BEST HIGHLIGHT Mingo was injured in practice a day before Penn State's tilt with Michigan. Despite missing his point production and on-court leadership, the Nittany Lions weren't as timid as they had been in the first halves of some previous games. Rhoades implored his young, inexperienced team to shed its reservations, and for nearly 40 minutes, it did just that. Against a Michigan team that featured 6-foot-9 forwards Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg, plus 7-3 center Aday Mara, Penn State produced one of its most complete efforts of the season. The Nittany Lions outrebounded the visitors 43- 37, including a 15-7 edge on the offensive glass, and held a 22-10 advantage in second-chance points. Michigan committed 12 turnovers, includ- ing seven on Penn State steals, leading to 17 points. From beyond the arc, the Wolverines shot nearly 7 percentage points below their season av- erage, connecting on just 8 of 27 attempts. Led by Jurić, who totaled 20 points and 4 re- bounds in 23 minutes, and Dilione, who shifted into Mingo's role and finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, the Nittany Lions battled but ultimately fell, 74-72. BOLD PREDICTION Through its first seven games, Penn State was un- able to notch a Big Ten win. The Nittany Lions' futil- ity to open the conference season mirrored a losing streak of the same length last year, part of a run of 11 losses in 12 games during the 2024-25 campaign. Showing too much development and competitive- ness against a brutal schedule, the Nittany Lions won't remain buried all season. Whether it pulls off a big upset or just pushes past another Big Ten team in turmoil, Penn State will end its winless streak sooner rather than later. — Nate Bauer PENN STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL SUPERLATIVES D E C . 1 3 - J A N . 1 8 Guard Freddie Dilione V scored 17 points in Penn State's 74-72 loss to No. 2 Michigan on Jan. 6. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS