Penn State went deep into its rotation during 2024-25, and a similar play style seems to be on deck.
Mike Rhoades said earlier this month he “anticipates playing all different ways” when it comes to lineup combinations for this upcoming season. Rhoades added some insight into a priority he has and an area of improvement he envisions.
“You never want to be light on handling and shooting. Sometimes that makes you play smaller,” Rhoades said July 15. “But I also do see some of our three men (being) bigger and stronger … That’s going to be a big difference. Our wings are going to be Big Ten size.”
With all that in mind, here’s a look into some of the personnel combinations Penn State could use throughout a game in 2025-26.
Head coach Mike Rhodes points down court in the Penn State men’s basketball game against Oregon in the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions 82-81.
Samantha Oropeza
Three guards, one forward, one big
This could be what the starting lineup looks like once November comes around. The Nittany Lions used this personnel as their starters toward the end of last season, and it produced a 3-2 record in return.
On this year’s squad, this lineup grouping would likely feature guards Kayden Mingo, Melih Tunca and Freddie Dilione V with Tibor Mirtič at power forward and Saša Ciani at the five.
Both Mingo and Tunca have experience as a point guard, so there shouldn’t be a ball handling concern here.
Mingo shot 50.0% on 3-pointers on the EYBL circuit in 2024 while Tunca knocked down his deep shots at a 47.5% clip with Turk Telekom in the BSL last season. With Dilione, all three of these guards can create scoring in the interior, so the want for shooting can be met if Mingo and Tunca adjust well to the collegiate level.
Down low, Mirtič and Ciani can be paint scorers and battle on the glass to an extent, but an issue is going to arise when this lineup goes up against any team that has an experienced frontcourt with depth.
As such, Penn State could choose to opt to rotate in a lineup that alleviates its frontcourt, which would be via its wings.
Forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) shoots the basketball at the Penn State men’s basketball THON game against Washington on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions lost to the Huskies 75-73.
Jacob DeLuca
One guard, three wings, one big
Josh Reed and Eli Rice both stand at 6-foot-8 while Mason Blackwood is 6-foot-7. These three wings have the Big Ten size Rhoades noted, which is an upgrade from last season.
Reed shot 31.3% on 3-pointers during 2024-25, but he has flashed more potential, such as his 2-for-3 performance against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament in March. Rice made 3-point shots at 37.0% clip with Nebraska in 2023-24 while Blackwood drained 45.5% of his deep shots during the 2024 EYBL season.
Paired with Mingo or Tunca at point guard, the Nittany Lions would have four players who should earn some respect beyond the arc. That’ll open up the paint more and give Mirtič or Ciani an easier time.
Still, any opposing center above 6-foot-10 would have a height advantage, once again giving Penn State a tougher test on the glass.
The men’s basketball team huddles during a time out in the Penn State men’s basketball game against Oregon in the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions 82-81.
Samantha Oropeza
One point guard, two guards/wings, two bigs
The Nittany Lions have two 7-footers in Ivan Jurić and Justin Houser, but they’re both freshmen. With a lack of experienced frontcourt depth, at least one of them will see meaningful minutes.
It’s probably best to have Jurić or Houser be paired with one of Mirtič or Ciani while they’re on the floor. That way, the frontcourt duties wouldn’t be totally reliant on a freshman.
Filling out the rest of this potential lineup, it’s again a necessity to have at least one of Mingo or Tunca on the court for ball handling purposes.
The last two spots are open for any remaining guard or wing, but it could be important to use the two best available 3-point shooters. It would further help the freshmen 7-footers by stretching the floor, potentially allowing for an advantage on the glass.
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Penn State released its players’ jersey numbers for 2025-26.
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