Entering his sophomore year at the helm of Penn State men’s basketball, coach Mike Rhoades is drawing a firm line between building and contending. After inheriting a shell of a team and stabilizing the program in Year 1, he now wants more than competitive games — he demands postseason success.
Last season, Rhoades led the Lions to a 16–17 overall mark, including a 9–11 Big Ten record — the second-most conference wins by a first-year coach in school history . Under his guidance, Penn State delivered thrilling upsets, knocking off No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 12 Illinois, and led the conference in steals, turnover margin, and three-point defense .
Yet, Rhoades isn’t satisfied. He’s challenged his team directly: “Let’s beat Big Ten teams. Let’s get into the NCAA Tournament. Why not?” . That clarity of purpose carries into recruitment too — Rhoades aggressively leveraged both the transfer portal and high school classes to add experienced talent like Ace Baldwin Jr. and Nick Kern Jr., alongside promising newcomers such as Freddie Dilione V and Yanic Niederhauser .
Off the court, Rhoades is refining every element — from postgame huddles to team chemistry. After a disheartening 11-of-12 losing stretch midseason, he took ownership and committed to a thorough cultural reevaluation .
Athletic director Pat Kraft echoed the sentiment: NCAA Tournament berths are the expectation now — not a bonus . With leadership steadying, a retooled roster locked and loaded, and a coach demanding accountability, Penn State is ready to flip from upstart to mainstay.
As the new season dawns, the message is loud and clear: it’s not about making progress — it’s about making the Big Dance happen.