Penn State’s 2026-27 men’s basketball season will bring a fresh roster, a familiar challenge and a schedule packed with television windows.
The Nittany Lions are set to open the year after a 12-20 finish in 2025-26, with head coach Mike Rhoades entering his fourth season in charge. Penn State is still chasing its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2023, and this group will lean on a new-look roster that includes European flavor and transfer portal additions.
The nonconference slate gives the season an early jolt. Penn State will play Pittsburgh at The Palestra in Philadelphia on Nov. 8, then later meet Saint Joseph’s at the GIANT Center in Hershey on Dec.
- The Lions also head to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they’ll face Memphis on Nov. 25 and then either Wake Forest or Mississippi State on Nov.
A lot of the schedule will be easy to find on TV. Most of Penn State’s games are set for broadcast, with appearances on Big Ten Network, Peacock, FS1, ESPNU and B1G+.
The Big Ten grind begins in early December and runs deep into March. Penn State opens league play against Nebraska on Dec. 8, then travels to Illinois on Dec.
- Other home dates include Oregon on Jan.
2, Northwestern on Jan. 10, Purdue on Jan.
20, Maryland on Jan. 30, Indiana on Feb.
2, Ohio State on Feb. 6, Washington on Feb.
17, Michigan on Feb. 23 and Rutgers on March 7.
Road trips stretch across the conference map, with visits to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, UCLA and USC. The late-season trip to the West Coast comes with a pair of long nights: UCLA on Feb. 27 and USC on March 2.
Here is Penn State’s full 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule, with times and TV information where available. Home games are listed in all caps, Big Ten games are marked with an asterisk, and all times are Eastern.
Nov. 2 CANISIUS, B1G+, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 CHATTANOOGA, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 8 Pittsburgh (The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA), 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 12 MERCYHURST, B1G+, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 NEW HAVEN, Peacock, 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 IU INDIANAPOLIS, Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 25 Memphis (Battle 4 Atlantis), ESPNU, 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 27 Wake Forest/Mississippi State (Battle 4 Atlantis), ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 UALBANY, B1G+, 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 8 NEBRASKA*, Big Ten Network, 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Illinois*, FS1, 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 16 UT MARTIN, B1G+, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 LAFAYETTE, Peacock, 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 Saint Joseph’s (GIANT Center, Hershey, PA), 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 2, 2027 OREGON*, Big Ten Network, 2:00 p.m.
Jan. 6 at Minnesota*, Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 NORTHWESTERN*, Big Ten Network, 12:00 p.m.
Jan. 13 at Wisconsin*, Big Ten Network, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 17 at Ohio State*, Big Ten Network, 12:00 p.m.
Jan. 20 PURDUE*, Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Iowa*, Big Ten Network, 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 26 at Michigan State*, Big Ten Network, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 30 MARYLAND*, Big Ten Network, 12:00 p.m.
Feb. 2 INDIANA*, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 6 OHIO STATE*, Big Ten Network, 12:00 p.m.
Feb. 12 at Nebraska*, Big Ten Network, 9:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 WASHINGTON*, Big Ten Network, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 20 at Rutgers*, Peacock, 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 23 MICHIGAN*, FS1, 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 27 at UCLA*, Big Ten Network, 10:30 p.m.
Mar. 2 at USC*, Big Ten Network, 9:00 p.m.
Mar. 7 RUTGERS*, Big Ten Network, 3:00 p.m.
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