Mike Rhoades shares what carried over from upset win vs. Illinois

The Penn State Nittany Lions got a huge win over Illinois. After that game, head coach Mike Rhoades saw his team carry over the momentum from that game and into the win over Indiana.

Rhoades explained that it wasn’t necessarily practice that led to Penn State’s success carrying over to the Indiana game. In fact, the Nittany Lions took it easy in practice between the two games.

“By doing things the right way,” Mike Rhoades said. “Honestly, practice Thursday we didn’t do much. We had a good one yesterday but not long.”

Instead of going hard in practice, Mike Rhoades saw a mental shift in his team after the Illinois win that carried over into the Indiana win. That game, which the Nittany Lions won 83-74, was Penn State’s second in a row and brought them back to .500 on the season.

“Now, we know what we need to do,” Rhoades said. “Our instincts are taking over a little bit better. Carryover from the scouting report. So, I thought Wednesday got their attention. Like, what you’re capable of doing, and it wasn’t perfect today, but I just think we were more attentive to details.”

On Tuesday, Penn State will look to keep its momentum moving forward with a road game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mike Rhoades never lacked belief in 2023-24 Penn State roster

It’s been a difficult first season at times for Mike Rhoades. At the same time, he never lost his belief in this season’s Penn State team.

“So, look, if you talk about a lack of belief, then people will think about it. If you talk about getting better every day and moving forward and knowing that this is what we’re going to try to do and the good days and the bad days, you learn from them all. So, no, I mean, you’re talking to the wrong person when it comes to that. Just strap ’em up, double not ’em, go to work, and play,” Rhoades said.

“We’ve had games this year where we’ve been really good for 10 minutes and then lousy for 10 or halves and all that stuff. I think that’s sometimes the inconsistency of a first year program and a lot of new guys. But, you’ve got to get to a point where you don’t make excuses. You figure it out and you go from there,” Rhoades said. I’ve been frustrated, I’ve been mad, I’ve been disappointed, especially in myself, but losing belief? No way. Nope.”