Penn State Men’s Basketball Off to a Blazing Start: Nittany Lions Face Purdue Fort Wayne

Penn State‘s men’s basketball team is making waves in the early stages of the 2024-25 season, boasting a perfect 4-0 record under head coach Mike Rhoades. In their latest outing, the Nittany Lions secured a convincing 86-64 victory over Virginia Tech at a neutral site in Baltimore, highlighting their aggressive defensive style and high-scoring offense.

Coach Rhoades, known for his defensive prowess, has his team ranked fourth in college basketball in points per game, averaging an impressive 97.3 points. The team is led by Ace Baldwin Jr. and Zach Hicks, each averaging around 15 points per game. Baldwin, who followed Rhoades from VCU, also leads the team in assists and steals, while Hicks contributes significantly in scoring and rebounding.

The Nittany Lions are set to face Purdue Fort Wayne at the Bryce Jordan Center on Wednesday, November 20. Purdue Fort Wayne, with a 3-1 record, is led by Rasheed Bello, who averages 18.5 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Jalen Jackson, who contributes 17 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Despite their strong performance, the Mastodons have struggled against Big Ten opponents, losing their last five games against the conference.

Penn State’s home record is a significant factor, with the team having won each of its last 13 night games against non-conference opponents at Bryce Jordan Center. The Nittany Lions are favored to win, with betting odds set at Penn State -14.5 to -15 points, depending on the source.

Injury updates for Penn State indicate that freshman Miles Goodman and Eli Rice will be out for the game against Purdue Fort Wayne. This marks the fifth consecutive game Goodman will miss and the second for Rice, who has only played in one game so far this season.