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Penn State basketball schedule: Lions to face Pittsburgh in neutral-site non-conference clash in Hershey

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel07/31/25GregPickel
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Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades. (Matthew O'Haren | Imagn Images)

The Penn State men’s basketball team is adding Pittsburgh to its schedule for the first time since 2017. But, the contest will not be played on either program’s campus. The non-conference matchup between the Panthers and head coach Mike Rhoades’ Nittany Lions will be played at Hershey’s GIANT Center on Sun., Dec. 21. Ticket information, a tip time, and television details are not yet available.

Penn State and Pitt will meet for the 149th time. Their last meeting was also a neutral-site showdown. The Lions beat the Panthers 76-72 at the Legends Classic in Brooklyn eight years ago. PSU leads the all-time series 76-72.

This is not the only neutral site non-conference game Rhoades’ side will play in 2025-2026. It will also face Providence in the Hall of Fame Classic on Nov. 22 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring our team to the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to face a strong Providence team,” Rhoades said in a news release about that contest. “This will be our second-straight year competing in a Hall of Fame event, and we know it will be a first-class experience for our group. The game will challenge our team early in the season and allow our fans and alumni in the Northeast region the chance to see us play in a fun college basketball environment.”

Penn State also knows who it will face at home and on the road during Big Ten play this season. The list is as follows:

Home & Away: Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers
Home Only: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away Only: Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington

More: Penn State basketball notebook: Rhoades talks summer progress, roster updates, more

Speaking with reporters in July, Rhoades offered an update on where his team stood amid summer workouts.

“We’re halfway through our summer workouts. I’ve been pleased with our guys,” he said. “We’ve had some great gains with their bodies and improvement on the court.”

“It’s all about getting better this time of the year, and I think we’re doing that. I’ve been impressed with guys showing up ready to go. That’s what you want.”

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