Penn State returns to the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday afternoon, looking to regroup after a tough two-game road stretch. The Nittany Lions are still chasing their first Big Ten win of the season, and they’ll get their next shot against a Minnesota team that’s also trying to find its footing.
The Golden Gophers come in at 10-11 overall and 3-7 in conference play under new head coach Niko Medved, who took over the program after a successful seven-year run at Colorado State. Medved has brought a balanced offensive approach to Minnesota, with four players averaging double figures in scoring.
Leading the charge is senior guard Cade Tyson, a 6-foot-7 scorer who’s putting up 20.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 50.4% from the field. He’s also pulling down 5.5 rebounds a night, making him a tough matchup on the wing. Junior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson adds a physical presence in the paint, averaging 13.6 points and a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game.
In the backcourt, senior Langston Reynolds brings a steady all-around game with 10.7 points, 4.5 boards, and 4.2 assists per outing, while sophomore Isaac Asuma is contributing 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. That kind of distribution makes Minnesota a team that can hurt you from multiple spots on the floor.
But despite the scoring depth, the Gophers are in the middle of a six-game losing streak. Their latest setback came in a 67-63 loss to Wisconsin on January 28 - a game that slipped away late, continuing a frustrating stretch for a team that showed early-season promise.
Penn State, meanwhile, enters Sunday’s matchup at 9-12 overall and still winless in Big Ten play at 0-10. The Lions are coming off a 94-73 loss at Northwestern, a game where the defense struggled to contain the Wildcats’ perimeter shooting and ball movement.
Still, there are bright spots in this rebuilding season. Freshman point guard Kayden Mingo continues to impress, leading the team with 14.1 points, 4.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. He currently ranks as the third-highest scoring freshman in the Big Ten - a sign of just how impactful he’s been in his first year on campus.
Redshirt junior Freddie Dilione V. has also been a steady contributor, averaging 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. And in the frontcourt, 7-foot freshman Ivan Juric has emerged as a key piece, leading the team in rebounding at 5.1 boards per game while shooting a team-best 54.8% from the field. He’s also chipping in 9.4 points per game, giving the Lions some much-needed size and efficiency inside.
Sunday’s game isn’t just about the on-court action - it’s also a celebration of the program’s past. As part of Coaches vs.
Cancer and Alumni Day, Penn State will honor the 25th anniversary of the 2001 team that made a memorable run to the Sweet 16, as well as the 15th anniversary of the 2011 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament. Expect a full house and plenty of emotion as former players return to be recognized.
Tip-off is set for 2:00 P.M. ET, with live coverage on NBCSN and Peacock.
For Penn State, it’s a chance to snap a conference skid and build some momentum in front of a home crowd. For Minnesota, it’s an opportunity to stop the bleeding and get back in the win column.
One of these teams is going to leave with a much-needed boost - the question is, who’s ready to seize it?