January in State College is always a bit brutal. The wind whips across Curtin Road, and honestly, the mood inside the Bryce Jordan Center has been just as chilly lately. If you’ve been following the latest penn state basketball news, you know the vibes are... complicated.
Coach Mike Rhoades is in his third year. We were all hoping for that big leap. Instead, the Nittany Lions are sitting at 9-8 overall and a concerning 0-6 in Big Ten play after a tough 71-60 loss to UCLA on January 14.
It feels like a gut punch. But before everyone starts eyeing the exit, we need to talk about what’s actually happening behind those box scores. This isn't just a "bad team." It's a team that has been absolutely decimated by the kind of luck that would make a four-leaf clover wilt.
The Injury Bug is More Like a Plague
You can't talk about penn state basketball news right now without mentioning the training room. It's basically a revolving door.
Wednesday’s loss to UCLA was a prime example. Freddie Dilione V, who was arguably the heart of the offense, went down with an ankle injury in the first half. He didn't come back. Before that tweak, he was leading the team with 14.1 points per game. Losing your leading scorer mid-game is a recipe for disaster, especially against a disciplined UCLA squad.
But wait, it gets worse.
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- Kayden Mingo: The star freshman. The kid who was supposed to be the future. He had to have surgery for a broken nose suffered in practice on January 5. Rhoades says he’ll be out for “a while.” Mingo was leading the team in literally everything: points (14.9), rebounds (3.9), assists (4.5), and steals (2.5).
- Tibor Mirtic: The 6-foot-8 Slovenian forward. He’s the guy who does the "dirty work." He went down with a knee injury against Michigan.
When you lose your top two playmakers and your primary interior "glue guy," the system breaks. Mike Rhoades’ "Havoc" style defense requires fresh legs and high-IQ rotations. Right now, Penn State is playing with a deck that’s missing all the face cards.
Ivan Juric and the "Next Man Up" Reality
With Mingo and Mirtic out, we've seen a lot more of Ivan Juric.
Honestly? He’s been a bright spot. The 7-foot freshman recently put up 11 points and six rebounds. Rhoades has been vocal about Juric’s high ceiling, but the reality is that you can’t expect a freshman big man to carry a Big Ten frontcourt alone. Especially when the team is still trying to fill the massive, first-round-pick-sized hole left by Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
The 89-73 loss to Alfred State (Penn State Altoona side note) and the struggles of the main squad show a program-wide depth test.
On the women's side, the Lady Lions are facing their own gauntlet. They just dropped an 108-84 result to No. 14 Ohio State. Their record is 7-11, and they are winless in the conference (0-7). It’s a tough year for basketball in Happy Valley, period.
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Is Mike Rhoades Still the Right Fit?
People are starting to whisper. That’s what happens when you’re 0-6 in the conference.
But look at the recruiting. Rhoades just landed Jamison "Jamo" White for the Class of 2030 (early, I know) and had the highest-ranked recruit in program history with Mingo. Associate head coach Jamal Brunt was just named a Top 100 Most Impactful High Major Assistant.
The infrastructure is there. The talent is being brought in.
The problem is the "right now." The Big Ten is a meat grinder. When you’re playing #2 Michigan, #5 Purdue, and UCLA in back-to-back stretches without your best players, you’re going to get bruised.
Basically, the Nittany Lions are playing a winning hand with half the cards missing.
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What to Watch For Next
If you're looking for a silver lining, it’s the development of the bench. Dominick Stewart and Eli Rice are getting minutes they never would have seen if the roster was healthy. That’s "forced growth."
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Don't panic on the 0-6 start: Look at the "Points For" vs "Points Against" (currently 1310 to 1277). They are competitive; they just can't close games without their primary ball-handlers.
- Monitor the Freddie Dilione injury: If his ankle injury is long-term, the season goal shifts from "NIT/Bubble" to "Player Development."
- Check the Maryland game: The upcoming road trip to Maryland is the litmus test. If they can steal a win there, it proves the culture is holding.
The 2025-26 season isn't over, but the margin for error has evaporated. For Penn State to turn this around, they don't need a miracle—they just need a clean bill of health and for Ivan Juric to keep growing into that 7-foot frame.
Keep an eye on the injury reports heading into the weekend. That's the only news that matters right now.