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Penn State hoops set to host Indiana at Palestra in January

nate-mug-10.12.14by:Nate Bauer•09/05/24•

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Penn State will return to the Palestra on Sunday afternoon. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)

Penn State basketball took its first formal step toward a concrete 2024-25 campaign with its nonconference schedule release last week. The Nittany Lions, set to embark on Mike Rhoades’ second season at the helm with five core returners and eight newcomers in tow, will look to build upon an encouraging debut.

Thursday, another significant step in that process was taken.

Blue White Illustrated has confirmed that Penn State is set to return to Philadelphia’s Palestra, on the campus of Penn University, for another Big Ten Game. First reported by Jon Rothstein on X on Thursday afternoon, the Nittany Lions will play host to Indiana on Jan. 5.

Yet to be announced by Penn State, Indiana, or the Big Ten, the matchup marks the first known conference opponent and location for the Nittany Lions ahead of the 2024-25 slate. Per usual, the Palestra game will count as a home date for Penn State. The Hoosiers are one of three Big Ten programs that will played both home and away. The others are Minnesota and Rutgers.

Home only opponents include Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, and Washington. Away only opponents include Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.

Penn State to return to the Palestra

The first game for Rhoades last season at the famed Cathedral of College Basketball, the Nittany Lions produced a 79-73 win over Michigan. A significant point for the Nittany Lions in their 9-11 mark in conference play, the opportunity to host a game at the Palestra was one Rhoades cherished.

“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to be able to coach Penn State there on Sunday. For all our staff and our team, we don’t take it for granted. What a great opportunity. That’s the fun part of it,” he said. “To go into Philadelphia, show off our Penn State alumni and go to them in the Philadelphia area, it’s a huge area for us. And in terms of recruiting, all the connections we have there from our staff and myself with all the high school coaches and the basketball people in Philadelphia, being honored to be at the Palestra and be in Philly representing Penn State.”

Given the release of Penn State’s nonconference schedule last week, it also will mark a second foray into the Philadelphia market for the Nittany Lions in a short span. Set to take on Drexel in a true road game at Wells Fargo Center at noon on Dec. 21, the return trip will come just two weeks later.

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