Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547542
4 2 D E C E M B E R 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 I van Jurić was a promising young center for Penn State last season. Now, the sophomore wants his prog- ress to produce something the Nittany Lions rarely managed during Big Ten play: victories. After averaging 10.2 points and 5.3 re- bounds as a freshman, Jurić returns as a player head coach Mike Rhoades can build around. He also returns with a bet- ter understanding of the demands of the conference and, thanks to an influx of experienced teammates, more help. For Jurić, the goal for the 2026-27 campaign is to turn those advantages into a better season for a team that fin- ished 12-20 a year ago. "I wouldn't say I feel pressure. It's just kind of a chip on my shoulder, to grow and be better than we were last year," Jurić said during the team's preseason media day at the Bryce Jordan Center. "You can see the rankings; they don't have us high. I think we will show that we're better than that, and we can win more games than people [expect]." 'The Sky's The Limit' Penn State went 3-17 in regular-sea- son Big Ten play last season before los- ing to Northwestern in the conference tournament. Jurić offered reasons for optimism along the way, appearing in 30 games with 26 starts and shooting a team-best 57.7 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 15 times and led the Nittany Lions in rebounding in 13 games. Those contributions made him an important part of the lineup im- mediately, even as Penn State struggled to turn competitive stretches into vic- tories. His 20 points against No. 2 Michigan on Jan. 6 helped Penn State push the eventual national champions to the limit in a 74-72 loss. Later that month, he re- corded his first collegiate double-double MEN'S BASKETBALL MIDDLE MANAGEMENT Ivan Juric looks to parlay individual progress into Penn State victories NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Juric ´ averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting a team-best 57.7 percent from the field last season. He returns as a key player in Penn State's rebuilt lineup. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS