Penn State men's basketball fell to USC, 77-75, in the final seconds of the game on Sunday. This loss dropped the Nittany Lions' record to 10-14 overall and 1-12 in the Big Ten.
Penn State's 7-foot freshman will have to be Mike Rhoades' savior after embarrassing blowout loss
Since conference play started, it was clear that the blue and white were nowhere near where they thought they were in terms of competitiveness. Close wins and blow outs alike, Penn State is in the midst of another dreadful season.
Coaches around the country are aware of this too.
On3 conducted a poll, asking veteran head coaches and assistants in each NCAA basketball conference to rank the jobs from best to worst. Each conference had their separate rankings. To no one's surprise, the Nittany Lions sunk embarrassingly to the bottom.
In a poll from coaches, Penn State Basketball was picked as the worst job in the Big Ten. Is there any path for the program out of the basement?#WeAre #PennState pic.twitter.com/3jRcf5YHqd
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 9, 2026
On3 poll reveals Penn State basketball as the worst job in the Big Ten
The top five teams, Michigan (322 points), Indiana (320 points), Michigan State (320 points), Illinois (306 points), and Purdue (282 points) are the top five jobs, according to the coaches' poll.
As the points drop slowly but surely from one rank to the next, the blue and white accumulated 28 and locked in at No. 18 in the Big Ten.
Jeff Goodman of On3 wrote that there were "no specific parameters" that went into the coaches' decisions. Recruiting, facilities, and financial resources in NIL were top three major factors, though. In all three areas, Penn State can't compete.
Even with young talent on the roster and a good attitude, the Nittany Lions are fighting an ever-losing battle and the season can't seem to end soon enough.
Though the poll doesn't represent how well the current team is doing, Penn State's 2025-26 season represents the inconsistencies, lack of resources, and struggle to find talent that makes the job in Happy Valley and least desirable. However, if the blue and white want to turn their program around, someone has to be willing to take the risk.
The Nittany Lions face Washington on the road next on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Tip off is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET and the game can be watched on the Big Ten Network.