Penn State hoops set to play Providence in Hall of Fame Showcase

The first domino has fallen on the 2025-26 Penn State men’s basketball schedule. Announced Wednesday afternoon by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the Nittany Lions will take on Providence in the 2025 Hall of Fame Showcase on Nov. 22. The Saturday event, a doubleheader also featuring Harvard and Boston University, will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Providence finished the 2024-25 season with a 12-20 record in the second season under head coach Kim English. The Friars put together a 6-14 record in Big East play, falling in the first round of the conference tournament to Butler. The losing decision to the Bulldogs sent Providence on a six-game streak of losses to end the year.

In the aftermath of the disappointing season, finishing No. 100 in the NCAA NET rankings, the Friars have been particularly active in the transfer portal. In addition to two four-star prospects signed in the Class of 2025, ranked No. 20 overall in the On3 Team Industry Rankings, Providence has also turned to the transfer market.

Along with No. 39 overall prospect Jamier Jones and No. 87 overall prospect Jaylen Harrell, plus international guard Stefan Vaaks, the Friars have also signed four-star point guard Jason Edwards, four-star shooting guard Jaylin Sellers, and former Nittany Lion recruiting target, Daquan Davis. Former Drexel forward Cole Hargrove, and 6-foot-8 fourth-year forward Duncan Powell have also committed to Providence this month out of the portal.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring our team to the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to face a strong Providence team,” Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades said via press release. “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.”

Last year, the Nittany Lions played Virginia Tech in Baltimore also as a part of the Hall of Fame organization. Details for tipoff time and television broadcast have not yet been solidified, with tickets set to go on sale on Friday, Sept. 5.

Where things stand for Penn State (10 spots filled)

Guards Freddie Dilione, Dominick Stewart, Kayden Mingo, Reggie Grodin
Wings Eli Rice, Mason Blackwood, Josh Reed
Bigs Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Justin Hauser, Ivan Juric

Penn State scholarship breakdown by class

Fifth year (0): 
Fourth year (2): Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Josh Reed
Third year (2): Freddie Dilione, Eli Rice
Second year (1): Dominick Stewart
First year (3): Justin Hauser, Mason Blackwood, Kayden Mingo, Ivan Juric, Reggie Grodin

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