Penn State men’s basketball tips off Year 4 of the Mike Rhoades era on Monday night at the Bryce Jordan Center as the Canisius Golden Griffins from the MAAC visit Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 12-20 record under Rhoades in 2025-26 and have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2023, the final season under Micah Shrewsberry.
With the expanded NCAA Tournament, there is a chance that Penn State, with a roster loaded with experienced veterans and European imports, can overperform expectations and force itself into a bubble conversation. However, that would be a tall order for one of the lowest-spending programs in the Big Ten that was picked to finish dead last in the preseason media poll.
Penn State also got good news about the most important of those European imports over the weekend as Croatian-born power forward Roko Prkacin was officially ruled eligible by the NCAA on Saturday. The team’s two most important eligibility cases, Prkacin and Josh Reed, both went in its favor, so both players will be suiting up in the front court on Monday night.
If Penn State is going to overperform this year, Step 1 is to rack up a nice win total against a favorable non-conference schedule, starting with Canisius. Last season, in Year 2 under Jim Christian, the Golden Griffins made a seven-win improvement from Year 1, but still finished just 10-21 with a 5-15 record in the MAAC.
So, understandably, Penn State is a heavy favorite on Night 1 of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
How to watch Canisius vs. Penn State in Week 9
- Date: Monday, November 2
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
- How to Watch (TV): B1G+
- Streaming: B1G+
- Canisius record: 0-0 (0-0)
- Penn State record: 0-0 (0-0)
The game is exclusively streaming on Big Ten+, the conference's streaming network, and will feature Penn State's in-house broadcast. Penn State has four non-conference games on B1G+ this season: Canisius, Mercyhurst, UAlbany, and UT Martin. Penn State's next game, against Chattanooga on Tuesday, will be featured on Big Ten Network, which, for many fans, will be the first chance to catch the team.
Penn State women's basketball's season opener against Cleveland State on Monday evening at 5:00 p.m. ET from the BJC will also be featured on B1G+.
Canisius vs. Penn State odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Canisius +2400
- Penn State -10000
Spread
- Canisius +22.5 (-110)
- Penn State -22.5 (-110)
Total
- 153.5 (over -115/under -105)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Penn State injury report
- N/A
Canisius injury report
- N/A
Penn State and Canisius series history
- All-time meetings: 4
- PSU all-time record vs. Canisius: 4-0
- Last meeting: 12/18/2022 - 97-67 Penn State W (Bryce Jordan Center)
- First meeting: 03/29/1995 - 66-62 Penn State W (NIT third-place game)
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