Annual Rec Hall games an 'everyday' discussion for Mike Rhoades, Penn State
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo couldn’t help himself. Sitting with BTN host Dave Revsine and fellow Big Ten leaders Dana Altman and Penn State’s Mike Rhoades, the conversation of throwback games elicited his attention.
Specific to the Nittany Lions’ trips to Philadelphia to play in the Palestra, an event that included a 72-63 loss for Izzo’s Spartans in 2017, as well as last year’s Rec Hall game, the Michigan State head coach perked up.
“I think those things are really cool, not to help your recruiting,” Izzo said. “But, I do think they’re really cool.”
Together for Big Ten Basketball Media Days on Thursday morning in Rosemont, Ill., near the conference’s headquarters, Rhoades acknowledged his embrace and shared enthusiasm for Izzo’s sentiment.
Bringing the Return to Rec game back this season, set to host Ohio State on Jan. 30 at the historic venue on the west side of Penn State’s campus, the game serves to run back its initial success last year. Last playing at Rec Hall in December 2015, Rhoades’ Nittany Lions hosted No. 12 Illinois and pulled off a thrilling, 90-89 upset in the 6,500-seat venue.
As a result, Rhoades said he has urged the program’s administration to continue to consider hosting games at Rec Hall.
“I try to make it an everyday discussion with our administration,” Rhoades said. “It was a great environment, turning back the clocks for a lot of alums, a lot of fans, and supporters. So we’re going to continue with our administration.”
Mike Rhoades continues “outside the box” thinking
A message that Rhoades has embraced since his arrival as Penn State’s head coach in March 2023, his preseason media day appearance continued his theme of “outside the box” thinking.
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“That’s all we keep talking about. For us to move forward in this league and to chase these guys, we got to think outside the box,” said Rhoades. “And playing the game in Rec Hall, great environment, on top of the court, old school, sort of like double knot your shoes and let’s go to work. Hot gym, hot arena, and everybody walked onto campus, and it was a great night.
“And we’re going to continue to try to replicate that and the Palestra game as well. And just keep thinking outside the box. Keep promoting our program.”
As Rhoades confirmed on Thursday morning, that outside the box thinking also will include a local road trip to begin the season.
Though not yet listed on the program’s official schedule, Penn State will travel to Rhoades’ alma mater, Lebanon Valley College, to play an exhibition with Lafayette at Sorrentino Gymnasium. That exhibition game will be played on Oct. 25.
Next steps
Welcoming five returning starting contributors from the 2023-24 season, Penn State and Rhoades used the occasion to set the stage for what’s next for the program. Pleased by offseason additions that numbered eight, welcoming four true freshmen and four transfers, Rhoades said the Nittany Lions will continue to lean into their different approach to Big Ten basketball while striving toward continued improvement on the hardwood.
“I’m excited for these five seniors who returned. We’ve got some experience. We went through the Big Ten landscape last year and those valuable experiences moving forward,” said Rhoades. “I think we addressed our needs. We got Big Ten bigger and got some depth. So, taking the next step, chasing these guys for sure, but that’s the fun of it all.”
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