News & Notes From Penn State Hoops At Big Ten Media Days

Mike Rhoades, Ace Baldwin Jr., and Puff Johnson headed to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on Thursday to represent Penn State men’s basketball at the Big Ten Media Days on Thursday.

The trio took to the microphones for the first time in months to address the team’s attitude heading into the season, the lessons Rhoades learned in his first year in Happy Valley, the changing environment of Penn State men’s basketball, and more.

Before the Nittany Lions tip off their season on November 4, here’s what we learned about Penn State’s outlook on the upcoming year.

On Leadership Of Returners

Penn State is returning five of its top seven scorers, and its returners accounted for over 60% of the team’s minutes last year, ranking second in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are looking to their veterans, specifically Baldwin and Johnson, to improve upon last year’s 16-17 record.

“These two guys are great leaders. They set the example every day the way they approach it, but they also care about the guys on their team, and that has really helped us this offseason,” Rhoades said. “To have these two guys in there last year and be here with me at Penn State, I’m looking forward to making a special run with them.”

Johnson, who averaged 7.3 points per game last season, is stepping up in the locker room. Johnson spent three years at UNC before transferring to Penn State, and he’s using his experience to teach his younger teammates.

“Just trying to lead the team in any way possible. Being a fifth-year senior, I’ve played a lot of college basketball. I’ve played in a lot of big moments. I can just teach the young guys and help them understand how college basketball works,” Johnson said.

On Additions Through The Transfer Portal

Rhoades utilized the transfer portal this offseason, bringing four transfers: Tennessee’s Freddie Dilione , Northern Illinois’ Yanic Konan Niederhauser , Nebraska’s Eli Rice , and Xavier’s Kachi Nzeh .

When looking at the talent in the portal last offseason, Rhoades said he targeted those players specifically because they possess certain traits.

“Have a plot as a coaching staff to go out and get the best players we can get that fit our character, our needs, and that are going to go to class every day and represent Penn State the right way. When it’s time to put on the uniform, ultra-competitive guys,” Rhoades said.

On Team Philosophy

After adjusting from coaching at VCU in the Atlantic 10 to Penn State in the Big Ten, Rhoades learned how to approach being in the league, and what the team has to do to be successful going forward.

“We have to be different, the way we play, the way we approach it. We take great pride in that,” Rhoades said. “We have to be bold about that too and not be apologetic about it at all. This is who we’re going to be.”

After winning nine conference games a year ago, Rhoades said differences in play style from other Big Ten teams will propel Penn State forward, especially on the offensive end.

“More comfortable, the way we’re going to play. We also recruited more handlers, more shooting, more size to compete and do what we need to do,” Rhoades said. “We’ve got to play more free. We’re always going to guard and play really hard on defense and try to steal the ball to create offense. I just think our offense with more depth is going to get better this year.”

On The Expanded Big Ten Schedule

The Big Ten is now an 18-team conference with the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington. The Nittany Lions will take a trip to the West Coast in February to play the Bruins and Trojans. However, Baldwin said there were no road trips that stuck out more than others when he first saw the team’s schedule, saying he was “just looking forward to the season.”

Rhoades quickly interjected, though, and brought up the away games in California on February 8 and 11.

“They know they’re going to Cali. [Ace] will be wearing his shorts. Puff will have his designer clothes on for Rodeo Drive,” he said.

Rhoades went on to talk about the storied past of the Big Ten as a whole, and how he’s brought awareness of that to his team.

“The neat thing about our schedule [is] the places you get to play. That’s why you do this. That’s the fun of it,” he said. “These guys, 18- to 22-year-olds, going to play college basketball all over the country and represent Penn State, that’s pretty cool.”

On Playing At Rec Hall & The Palestra

The Bryce Jordan Center is home to Penn State basketball, but games at Rec Hall have returned. The Nittany Lions defeated then-No. 12 Illinois in Rec Hall last year, and the team announced it would play there again this season when it takes on Ohio State on January 30.

“It was a great environment, turning back the clocks for a lot of alums, a lot of fans, and supporters. We want to be outside the box. That’s what we keep talking about,” Rhoades said. “For us to move forward in this league, we’ve got to think outside the box, and playing a game at Rec Hall, great gym, great environment, on top of the court, old school.”

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said his team played in Rec Hall before it was considered outside the box, and agreed that it’s a tough environment for opposing teams to play in.

“It was awesome. Then we happened to get a chance to play in the Palestra too. I think those things are really cool,” Izzo said.

After beating Michigan at the Palestra in Philadelphia last season, the Nittany Lions will return to the “Cathedral of College Basketball” to face Indiana on January 5.

“We’re going to try to replicate [the Rec Hall game] and the Palestra game, as well, and just keep thinking outside the box and promoting our program,” Rhoades said.