The injury bug has bitten Penn State men’s basketball at a tough time-and it’s taken a big bite. Three key contributors are sidelined, and while the Nittany Lions have shown resilience, there’s no sugarcoating how much these absences sting.
Let’s break down what’s going on with each player and what it means for a Penn State team that’s still scrapping in the Big Ten despite the setbacks.
Freddie Dilione V: From Sixth Man Spark to Sideline
Before his injury, Freddie Dilione V was doing more than just coming off the bench-he was igniting games. The redshirt junior guard had carved out a role as Penn State’s energizer, the kind of player who shifts momentum the moment he checks in. That instant impact had him in the early conversation for Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
But it didn’t take long for head coach Mike Rhoades to make a change. Dilione’s consistent production and infectious energy earned him a starting spot.
And he didn’t disappoint-leading the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game. Then came the setback.
In the first half of Penn State’s matchup with UCLA, Dilione went down with an ankle injury and didn’t return. His status for Sunday’s game at Maryland remains uncertain, and that’s a big question mark for a team that leans on his scoring punch and on-court presence.
Kayden Mingo: A Star Freshman Hits Pause
Freshman point guard Kayden Mingo has been nothing short of dynamic. He’s not just running the offense-he’s leading the team across the board.
We’re talking 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. That’s a stat line that screams versatility and leadership, especially from a first-year player.
But Mingo’s momentum was halted by a broken nose suffered in practice on January 5, just a day before Penn State faced off against No. 2 Michigan. The injury required surgery, and while there’s no clear timeline for his return, Coach Rhoades has said he’ll be out “for a while.”
Since then, the Nittany Lions have had to navigate games against Michigan, No. 5 Purdue, and UCLA without their floor general. It’s a tall task to replace that kind of production and poise, especially from someone who’s been the engine of both ends of the floor.
Tibor Mirtic: Doing the Dirty Work-and Being Missed for It
Tibor Mirtic might not light up the scoreboard, but his value goes beyond the box score. The 6-foot-8 freshman forward from Ljubljana, Slovenia had been gaining steam-earning more minutes, building confidence, and establishing himself as a physical presence down low.
Then came the Michigan game, and with it, a knee injury in the first half. For a player just starting to find his rhythm, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Mirtic’s averages-3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game-don’t capture the full picture. He’s the guy doing the little things: setting hard screens, boxing out, diving for loose balls. As Rhoades put it, he’s been handling the “dirty work,” and teams need players like that to compete in the trenches of the Big Ten.
Now, Penn State will have to go without that grit for “some time,” according to Rhoades.
Still Swinging in the Big Ten
Even with three key pieces missing, Penn State hasn’t folded. They nearly knocked off Michigan and kept things tight against Purdue on the road-two of the conference’s top-tier programs. That says a lot about the team’s fight and the depth Rhoades has been developing.
But make no mistake-getting Dilione, Mingo, and Mirtic back on the court would be a major boost. Each brings something unique, and together they form a core that can help Penn State make noise in the second half of the season.
The next test comes Sunday at Maryland, with tip-off set for noon on the Big Ten Network. Whether reinforcements arrive by then remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: this team isn’t backing down.