Penn State hoops ready to 'go to war' on Sunshine Slam trip

Light momentum is building for the Penn State men’s basketball program. Graduating from four votes upon last Monday’s release of the AP Top 25, the Nittany Lions took another step following their Wednesday win over Purdue Fort Wayne. 

Today, that was given credit in the form of nine points in the updated rankings.

The news comes just ahead of a critical two-game slate for the Nittany Lions. Set to take on Fordham on Monday afternoon (4 p.m., CBS Sports Network), Penn State will compete in the Sunshine Slam. The event is taking place in Daytona Beach, Fla., with the winner taking on the winner of San Francisco/Clemson on Monday evening.

How to watch, game details

• TV: CBS Sports Network – Jake Marsh (pxp) & Mike O’Donnell (analyst)
• RADIO: Penn State Sports Network – Steve Jones (pxp) & Dick Jerardi (analyst)
• NATIONAL RADIO: SiriusXM Ch. 386 & SXM App. Ch. 976
• LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast
• GAME NOTES: Penn State | Fordham

Penn State set for first-round Fordham tilt

To earn that opportunity, the Nittany Lions will need to get past a Rams program led by former Penn State assistant coach Keith Urgo. Head coach of the Rams for the past two seasons, Urgo’s program is off to a 3-3 start with wins against Seton Hall, Binghamton, and Georgian Court. Losses thus far have come against St. John’s, Manhattan, and a 73-71 decision against Drexel on Friday night at Rose Hill Gym. 

Determined to make the most of the opportunity, Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades offered that his program’s trip to Florida serves as a unique chance at team-building and bonding. Now 5-0 and owners of the nation’s No. 7-ranked scoring offense at 102.0 points per game, the Nittany Lions are hoping to come away from the experience with more than just two wins.

“I always believe, through experience, when you just take your team on the road to compete and it’s just you against everybody, that’s sort of the mentality I have, a lot of great things can come together, a lot of things you can build on,” Rhoades told reporters. “Just the team being around each other, meals, hanging out in the hotel. In Baltimore, we adjourned the meeting the night before, and about nine guys stuck around, and we’re watching some highlights, some clips, and just hanging out, talking to the GAs and the staff. That’s the bond you want to build.”

Strong start in place for Nittany Lions

Eager to strike a better balance in their approach to building the roster this past offseason, Rhoades and the Nittany Lions have been pleased by the chemistry shown thus far. 

With fifth-year senior Ace Baldwin leading the way, a Naismith Trophy candidate averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game, the Nittany Lions have flourished in showing off their depth. Beyond his team-leading points per game, Penn State also has double-digit scoring averages from Zach Hicks (15.8 ppg), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (12.2 ppg), Puff Johnson (10.8 ppg), and Nick Kern (10.2 ppg). Combined with the contributions of senior D’Marco Dunn (9.0 ppg) and the well-rounded performances of Tennessee transfer Freddie Dilione (8.4 ppg, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals), Penn State has produced double-digit wins in each of its first five games.

Next steps

Hoping to ride that momentum into a strong first-round performance against the Rams on Monday afternoon, it’s a scenario in which the Nittany Lions are determined to continue the building process that has taken place throught the first month of the season.

“You want it to be relationships beyond basketball, and I think we’re building that. And you can’t force that,” said Rhoades. “You hope you recruit kids that are talented with high character and that they want those relationships, and we’re building on that. So I hope this trip can bond that even more, build that even more. 

“You go to war with your teammates on the road… and you build some great memories, too. That’s really important to me in our in our program.”

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