Mike Rhoades delivers impassioned plea for BJC fan support

Fighting to hold onto a tenuous lead over Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday evening at the Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades encouraged his players, who’d sustained a made 3-pointer on the defensive end of the floor. A battle against the Mastodons, a projected competitor to win the Horizon League this season regardless of non-conference name recognition, his Nittany Lions were locked in battle.

And, he wanted the 6,547 fans in the stands to be with them in that effort.

Turning around toward the student section directly behind the team benches, Rhoades raised his arms, demanding as much fiery energy as Penn State’s contingent could provide. Stepping out into the hardwood toward the opposite side of the venue, he did the same.

The pleas worked.

Resetting from the basket allowed, the Nittany Lions ripped off a 12-0 run to effectively take full control of the game. An Ace Baldwin layup rolled into a Nick Kern fastbreak dunk, which set up a Zach Hicks 3-pointer, a Yanic Konan Niederhauser block on the defensive end, another dunk, and a run-capping 3 for Hicks. In three minutes, Penn State’s 74-69 lead ballooned to 86-69, creating an arm’s length runway that finished in a 102-89 decision in favor of the hosts.

Mike Rhoades issues challenge

Taking a variety of questions in the wake of the win, Penn State’s fifth-straight to start the 2024-25 campaign, Rhoades was effusive in his praise for the resolve of players and coaches to fight through a decidedly off first half in which the Nittany Lions trailed by 11 points with less than two minutes to play.

He also had comments to deliver beyond those in response to questions. Wrapping his prolonged press conference with a statement, Rhoades transferred his in-game energy to the postgame media room.

“This is to everybody that shows up to games at the BJC. What we used to say about the BJC and how quiet it is. I’m challenging all of you. The old Penn Staters, the middle aged Penn Staters like me, and all the young ones, all the students, every one of us, get out of your seat, get on your feet,” he said. “Sweat with us. We don’t need popcorn at this game. Get your butts out of the seats. We will fight for you guys. I want you sweating with everybody.”

Mike Rhoades says fans should “sweat with us” as he builds the Penn State basketball program pic.twitter.com/MBjjcWPA5c

— Zane Brancefield (@ZaneBrancefield) November 21, 2024

A callback to his introductory press conference in March 2023 in which he acknowledged and encouraged the cumulative impact of community support for the program, Rhoades’ attention has remained fixed on the energy delivered by fans who are at Bryce Jordan Center for games. Having enjoyed fan support in wins at the Palestra and Rec Hall, the passion directed from the stands in those venues, he has intimated, can similarly be transferred into the actual home of Penn State men’s basketball.

“We should never have the BJC quiet. I don’t care how big the BJC is. We’re not making any excuses around here,” Rhoades said. “But I need you all. So if you come to the game, man, get some extra Gatorade and some water and sweat with us, and get into the game. For the older people like me, and up, right? It’s a great day for exercise. In your seat, out of your seat, in your seat, out of your seat. Stand up. It’s great for us. For all you young people, get crazy with it, and bring your friends with you all the time. You’re not going to get in trouble for being an idiot for 40 minutes. I got your back. But I want to build this program with all of you guys. And I want it to be a fun night in State College every time we play.”

Through four games to start the season at the BJC, Penn State has averaged 7,053 fans. The Nittany Lions will travel to play two games at the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach, Fla., beginning on Monday.

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