Penn State hoops learns upcoming Big Ten opponent slate
Penn State basketball won’t have a finalized 2023-24 schedule until late this summer. The Big Ten, however, released an April appetizer for the conference as its upcoming slate begins to take shape.
Announced on Tuesday morning by the league, Penn State now knows its single- and double-play opponents for the Big Ten schedule in Mike Rhoades’ debut season at the helm.
Playing a now-standard 20 games in the conference schedule, Penn State will again play seven Big Ten teams twice and six programs just once. Those six single-plays will be split between home and away matchups.
“Penn State will play both home and away games against Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern and Ohio State. Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin will each visit Happy Valley as Penn State’s home-only opponents. Away games for single-play opponents send Penn State to Nebraska, Rutgers and Purdue.”
Full details of Penn State’s schedule, including television arrangements and tip times, have not yet been cemented.
As reported first by Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, tentative plans were in place for the Wolverines’ visit to face the Lions in Philadelphia. The matchup would be the Nittany Lions’ fourth Big Ten showdown at the city’s famed Palestra on the campus of Penn University. Other opponents have included Michigan State, Iowa, and most recently, Purdue.
Next steps for Penn State basketball
Before taking on any Big Ten opponents, the program continues to work to build out its roster ahead of the 2023-24 season. Inheriting a roster that saw the departure of its top five scorers from last year’s NCAA Tournament Round of 32 team, Rhoades and company have had their hands full in the early weeks of their tenure.
To date, the program has retained true freshmen Kanye Clary, Jameel Brown and Demetrious Lilley from that team. Additionally, former VCU players Ace Baldwin and Nick Kern have joined from the transfer portal. Temple shooter Zach Hicks has also transferred in this offseason.
Penn State finished with a 10-10 conference record last season.
