Today: Penn State (16-15 overall in 2024-25, 6-14 in Big Ten play)
Previously: Rutgers
After being ranked dead last in the Big Ten preseason poll last year, Penn State’s performance didn’t stray too far from expectations. The Nittany Lions finished 17th in the conference, missing out on a Big Ten tournament spot with just six wins in league play. Though they gave some teams a tough challenge, they couldn’t turn those close calls into victories.
Penn State Roster Changes
Returning Players: Freddie Dilione, Dominick Stewart, Eli Rice
Departures due to Eligibility Exhaustion: Ace Baldwin Jr., Puff Johnson, D’Marco Dunn, Nick Kern, Zach Hicks
Early NBA Draft Entrants: Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Transfers Out: Miles Goodman (to Oregon), Hudson Ward (to UC San Diego), Jahvin Carter (to Middle Tennessee), Kachi Nzeh
Transfers In: Josh Reed (from Cincinnati)
Freshman Additions: Kayden Mingo (247Sports Composite top 35), Mason Blackwood, Justin Houser, Ivan Juric, Reggie Grodin
Penn State’s roster has been overhauled. Aside from Freddie Dilione, who started 28 games, and Dominick Stewart, who played in 24, nearly every piece from last season is gone. The Nittany Lions are working with four available scholarships, and despite a strong 2025 recruiting class (No. 23 in the nation on 247Sports), the current roster situation raises some red flags.
What’s Promising for Penn State
Kayden Mingo is the bright spot. The highly touted freshman, ranked in the top 35 nationally, could step into the role vacated by Ace Baldwin Jr. as a two-way guard. While it’s a lot of pressure for a true freshman, Mingo has the potential to shine over time. He’s not likely to match Baldwin’s production right away, but he could become a key player for the program’s future.
Additionally, despite a poor record last season, Mike Rhoades’ squad was competitive. The Nittany Lions pulled off a surprising upset against Purdue and were often in close games. Nine of their 14 Big Ten losses were decided by just a couple of possessions, showing they can hang with the top teams. With some luck, that “pesky” nature could result in more wins next season.
Concerns About Penn State
First and foremost, the roster needs to be completed. With so much turnover, the biggest question mark is figuring out who will step up and fill key roles. The team has a lot of open spots, and it’s still unclear who will get minutes beyond the returning players and incoming freshmen.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser’s decision to stay in the NBA Draft is a massive blow. He was expected to be a key contributor for the Nittany Lions, and his absence leaves a gaping hole on the roster. With just nine players currently on the team, they’re already looking thin, and adding more depth is crucial.
Finally, Rhoades needs experienced players to balance out the roster. While the 2025 recruiting class is exciting, it won’t be enough to make a significant impact in the Big Ten without players who have proven themselves at a higher level. Penn State’s roster is heavily reliant on young talent, and the lack of established contributors could hold them back.
Outlook for the 2025-26 Season
Here’s what Penn State’s Big Ten schedule looks like for next season:
Home Games: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away Games: Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington
Home/Away: Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers
The Nittany Lions’ schedule isn’t terrible on paper, but considering their current roster construction, it might not matter much. They’re currently ranked outside the top 80 in Bart Torvik’s projections, and with so much roster turnover, they’re likely to finish at or near the bottom of the Big Ten again.
Even with their best-ever recruiting class, Penn State’s overall talent level—especially with so many freshmen—isn’t quite enough to make them competitive in the Big Ten. It’s going to be a rebuilding year for Rhoades and his team, and they’ll be leaning heavily on young players, especially Mingo, to carry the load.
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