Penn State men’s basketball has had a turbulent couple of weeks-flashes of promise, frustrating cold spells, and a few gut-punch finishes. The Nittany Lions are navigating the grind of Big Ten play, and while the win column hasn’t grown much, there are signs this group is starting to settle into its identity.
A Rough Road Trip and a Cold Perimeter
Let’s start with the low point: a humbling 41-point loss at No. 2 Michigan.
It was the kind of game that leaves a mark-not just on the scoreboard, but on a team’s confidence. Without starting center Ivan Jurić, who missed the game due to illness, Penn State leaned heavily on the three-point shot.
The result? Just 2-of-20 from deep.
That’s not just a cold night-it’s a full-on freeze.
That performance wasn’t an outlier, either. Over the last four games, Penn State has struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting just over 25% of its threes. The only game where the Nittany Lions outshot their opponent from distance was against Washington-but even then, they attempted just 13 threes, tying their season low, and the Huskies still made more.
So what’s the takeaway? This team is still figuring out how to balance its perimeter identity.
When the shots aren’t falling, the offense can grind to a halt. That was evident again in a double-digit loss to Oregon, where the Ducks-who shoot similarly on the season-got hot and outpaced Penn State by 20% from deep.
That kind of discrepancy is hard to overcome, especially on the road.
Reinforcements Arrive
But it hasn’t been all doom and gloom. The Nittany Lions got some much-needed help back in the rotation, starting with sharpshooting wing Eli Rice.
After missing two games following a head collision against Minnesota, Rice returned and made an immediate impact against Washington. He dropped 12 points on efficient shooting in 27 minutes, providing a steady hand on the wing and committing zero turnovers.
Rice cooled off against Oregon-just 1-of-6 from the field-but his return is a big deal for a team that’s been starving for reliable perimeter shooting. He still leads the team in three-point percentage by a wide margin, and his presence alone stretches defenses in ways few others on the roster can.
Forward Sasa Ciani also made his return after an ankle injury, logging 20 minutes across the West Coast swing. He didn’t take a shot, but brought some physicality to the frontcourt with a steal, a rebound, and four fouls. It’s a small step, but a necessary one for a team that’s been thin up front.
That leaves just one key piece still sidelined: forward Tibor Mirtič. He’s officially day-to-day and no longer wearing the shoulder sling he sported earlier, so his return could be just around the corner.
Buzzer-Beaters and Close Calls
Now, let’s talk about the drama. Penn State was on both sides of the late-game spectrum in recent outings-falling victim to a highlight-reel buzzer-beater from USC’s Alijah Arenas, then surviving a nail-biter against Washington.
The loss to USC stung. Arenas, one of the most talked-about young players in the country, delivered a signature moment with a game-winning shot that left the Bryce Jordan Center stunned.
Head coach Mike Rhoades noted postgame that a defensive switch was missed on the play, though he didn’t name names. Against a player like Arenas, even the smallest lapse can be costly-and it was.
Just days later, Penn State nearly saw history repeat itself. Up three against Washington with six seconds left, the Nittany Lions lost track of a shooter, who got a clean look at a game-tying three.
This time, the shot didn’t fall. Penn State escaped, but the margin was razor-thin.
Freddie Dilione V: The Steady Hand
Through all the highs and lows, one player has been the constant: Freddie Dilione V. The junior guard has become the heartbeat of this team, leading Penn State in scoring in three of the last four games and showing off a polished midrange game that’s as smooth as the Kobe sneakers he wears.
Dilione isn’t just scoring-he’s doing it with craft and confidence. His ability to create space and knock down tough shots has been a lifeline for an offense that’s struggled to find rhythm from deep. He’s also been an ironman, playing all 40 minutes against Michigan and ranking second on the team in minutes per game, trailing only freshman Kayden Mingo.
He’s one of just four players to appear in all 26 games this season, and his leadership-both in production and presence-has been invaluable. In a season full of moving parts, Dilione has been the one constant Penn State can count on.
Looking Ahead
The Nittany Lions are still searching for consistency, especially from beyond the arc. But with key players returning to the lineup and Dilione stepping up as a go-to scorer, there’s reason to believe this group can still make noise down the stretch.
They’ve taken some lumps-some big ones-but they’re still swinging. And as any Big Ten team will tell you, that fight matters just as much as the record.