Honestly, if you looked at the final score of the last time these two met, you'd think there wasn't much of a rivalry to speak of at all. Indiana absolutely dismantled Penn State 113-72 back in December 2025. It was one of those nights where the rim looked like the size of a hula hoop for the Hoosiers.
But that's the thing about IU Penn State basketball.
It’s rarely that simple.
Historically, this has been a "trap game" special for Indiana. For decades, the Nittany Lions have made a habit of muddying up the gears for the Cream and Crimson, usually with gritty defense and a pace that feels like running through molasses. Then 2025 happened, and Darian DeVries decided to rewrite the script entirely.
The Lamar Wilkerson Factor and That Record-Breaking Night
If you're a Penn State fan, the name Lamar Wilkerson probably gives you night terrors. In that December meeting at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Wilkerson didn't just play well; he played like he was controlled by a cheat code. 44 points. 10 triples.
It was a total eclipse.
He broke the Assembly Hall scoring record and the IU program record for most threes in a single game. What's wild is that he was actually coming off a cold streak. Before that game, he’d been shooting 5-of-23 from deep over a three-game span.
Then he hits 10-of-15 against the Nittany Lions.
That’s college basketball for you. One week you’re hitting the front of the rim, the next you’re the most dangerous man in the Big Ten. Penn State coach Mike Rhoades even got a cheeky smile from Wilkerson after the ninth triple. It was that kind of night.
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A Tale of Two Directions in 2026
As we sit here in mid-January 2026, the vibes for these two programs couldn't be more different, even if their recent box scores suggest they're both struggling for air in a brutal Big Ten.
Indiana is currently sitting at 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference. They’ve hit a bit of a skid lately, losing consecutive games to Nebraska and Michigan State. The high-flying offense that hung 113 on Penn State has looked human again. Tucker DeVries, the coach's son and a focal point of the offense, has actually been struggling to find his shot in Big Ten play, recently being held to single digits in several games.
On the flip side, Penn State is in a dark place.
They are 9-8 overall but a staggering 0-6 in Big Ten play.
- They lost their opener to IU by 41.
- They dropped a heartbreaker to Michigan by two points.
- They just got handled by UCLA 71-60.
The Nittany Lions aren't talentless—freshman Kayden Mingo is a genuine star in the making—but they can't seem to close the gap against the heavy hitters. Mingo is averaging nearly 15 points a game and has been the one consistent bright spot in a season that's quickly slipping away from Mike Rhoades.
Why IU Penn State Basketball Is Still "Must-Watch"
You might look at Penn State’s 0-6 conference record and think the rematch later this season is a foregone conclusion.
Don't.
That’s the mistake everyone makes. Penn State actually leads the league in forcing turnovers, averaging over 15 a game. They play a chaotic, high-pressure style under Rhoades that can make even a veteran backcourt like Indiana’s look jittery.
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And Indiana? They’ve shown they can be "leaky."
When they aren't hitting 54% of their threes (like they did against PSU in December), they can get into trouble. Their defense, while improved, gave up 81 points to Michigan State and 83 to Nebraska.
Key Players to Watch Moving Forward
- Lamar Wilkerson (IU): He’s the engine. When he’s on, IU is a Top 20 team. When he’s not, they’re a bubble team.
- Kayden Mingo (PSU): The freshman guard is slippery and fearless. He put up 19 against IU in the first meeting despite the blowout.
- Reed Bailey (IU): After being moved to the bench recently, he responded with a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night against Penn State. His role as a "super-sub" or returning starter is the biggest question mark for DeVries.
- Freddie Dilione V (PSU): A redshirt junior who can score in bunches. He’s the secondary scoring option Penn State desperately needs to step up.
The Strategy Shift: From Slow-Ball to Track Meet
For years, the IU Penn State basketball matchup was a slog. You’d be lucky to see both teams crack 60 points.
But look at the 2025-26 stats. Indiana is averaging 83.1 points per game. Penn State is at 77.1.
We’ve moved away from the era of "first to 50 wins" in the Big Ten. Darian DeVries brought a modern, high-tempo system from Drake/West Virginia that prioritizes floor spacing and quick transitions. Mike Rhoades wants to run, too—he just wants to do it by creating havoc on the defensive end first.
The result? The total scores in this series are skyrocketing.
The 113-72 scoreline wasn't just an anomaly; it was a signal of how the game is changing. Even if Penn State isn't winning the games yet, the pace is significantly higher than it was under previous regimes.
What the Experts Say
Most analysts, including the folks at Inside the Hall and The Daily Hoosier, pointed to IU’s ball movement as the deciding factor in the first 2026 meeting. IU had 30 assists on 42 field goals.
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That is elite.
If Penn State wants to compete in the rematch, they have to break that rhythm. You can’t let a team like Indiana get 30 assists. You have to turn it into a 1-on-1 game, which is where Penn State’s pressure defense usually thrives.
How to Approach the Rematch
If you’re looking to follow the next chapter of IU Penn State basketball, keep your eyes on the turnover margin.
Penn State basically lives and dies by the steal. If they aren't turning Indiana over, they don't have the half-court offense to keep up with Wilkerson and DeVries.
Also, watch the "post-loss" response. Indiana has a habit this season of bouncing back from tough losses with massive offensive outbursts. If they come into the next Penn State game off a loss, expect them to be aggressive from the jump.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the first 5 minutes: In the last meeting, Wilkerson hit three 3-pointers in the first 2:31. If IU starts hot, PSU doesn't have the firepower to claw back from a 15-point deficit.
- Monitor the Bench Scoring: IU got 18 from Reed Bailey and 13 from Nick Dorn off the bench last time. Penn State’s bench has been thin; they need someone like Eli Rice to provide a spark.
- Check the Venue: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is a house of horrors for Penn State. They play much better at the Bryce Jordan Center or neutral sites like the Palestra.
- Follow the Freshman: Kayden Mingo is the real deal. Even if Penn State is losing, his development is the most important thing for the future of their program.
The reality is that while Indiana looks like the much better team on paper, the Big Ten is a meat grinder. 0-6 teams win games they shouldn't every single year. Indiana’s job is to make sure they don't become the "get-right" game for a hungry Penn State squad.
If you want to keep up with the live updates, the Big Ten Network and FOX are the primary homes for these matchups in 2026. Keep an eye on the NET rankings too—IU needs to keep winning these "quadrant 2 or 3" games to stay in the hunt for a high seed in March.