Penn State men's basketball started 2025 undefeated through its first five games, and despite rocky moments, the trend continued into the second set of games.
The Nittany Lions faced lower-tier non-conference opponents in the season so far, and star performances have highlighted it in those games. Head coach Mike Rhoades' squad will look to build on this momentum as Big Ten play looms.
Game 6 - Penn State vs. Providence (Neutral Site)
While the season has been mostly joyous for the Nittany Lions so far, the game against the Friars marks the only stain as they fell 77-65.
Providence has a good squad, as it was ranked similarly to Penn State in the KenPom rankings before this contest. Yet, when the whistle blew, the blue and white were no match, struggling offensively.
Freddie Dilione led Penn State with 22 points off the bench, but the squad as a whole shot 33 percent from the field and from beyond the arc. It struggled converting buckets in a game where its defense played solidly.
Freshman four-star Mason Blackwood, who appeared minimally so far in 2025, was not available due to the flu, according to Rhoades. The wing has not checked into any games since this news, but is cleared for return and come back to the bench.
Game 7 - Penn State vs. Boston University
The blue and white finally got back into the win column in a decisive manner when they returned home to Happy Valley for the first of three games during a homestand. Against Boston University, Penn State won 96-87, marking the most points the Nittany Lions both scored and allowed so far in the season.
The entire Penn State starting lineup scored in double digits, including front court players Josh Reed and Ivan Jurić. They combined for 32 points and missed just one shot between the two of them.
Both units shot an efficient 57 percent from the field in the high-scoring affair, while both went 40 percent from beyond the arc; it was ultimately foul shots that helped swing the outcome. The Nittany Lions got to the charity stripe in droves, shooting 40 free throws compared to the Terriers' 13, with 30 coming in the second half.
Game 8 - Penn State vs. Sacred Heart
The Nittany Lions showed they had a knack for scoring. They followed up the win against the Terriers with an even more dominant, high-scoring win. Penn State triumphed 90-59 over Sacred Heart four days later.
The Nittany Lions dominated the Pioneers, holding favorable margins across the stat sheet, including an impressive +16 rebound differential, as the glass has been one of their weaknesses through the start of the season.
While the rebounding appeared to be remedied, the foul shooting, which statistically ranks among the worst in the Big Ten, didn't improve despite the plethora of attempts.
Penn State, again, shot over double the free throws as its opponents, but shot an abysmal 65 percent. Sacred Heart missed only one shot from the line.
Five Nittany Lions reached double-digit scoring, including Kayden Mingo, who tied the program's single-game steals record at eight in this game.
Game 9 - Penn State vs. Campbell
The blue and white rounded out its homestand before heading to Indiana to start Big Ten play with another win. Penn State flirted with a third straight game reaching 90 points, but fell short in a close win over Campbell, 87-76.
It was only the second time the programs met, as Campbell's Chris Clemons set a then-BJC record with 39 points in the last contest. This game still saw just as much brilliance.
It was Penn State players setting the tempo, as Mingo starred with a game-high 21. While Dilione went six-of-eight off the bench with skillful, tough buckets, Reed and Jurić also logged 16 points in the game.
Reed exited early in the first due to what he clarified was a rolled ankle post-game, but later continued and played efficiently despite being banged up.
The Nittany Lions in this contest only missed three free throws, as they look for momentum at the line. However, the glass became an issue, as Campbell held a nine-rebound lead and dominated on the offensive boards, 15-6.
Penn State seek consistency in its play before the matchup with the Hoosiers on Dec. 9. Despite some hiccups on the hardwood, there are many positive signs. Rhoades' team commits turnovers at the second-lowest rate in the country, only behind Liberty, and taking care of the ball is key to their success.
The Nittany Lions soon face their first set of high-prestige opponents. The upcoming slate will field-test the Penn State squad to see if it's built for Big Ten play, but early signs indicate something special is brewing in Happy Valley.