Penn State basketball has announced the dates and opponents for the nonconference portion of its schedule, and the 11-game slate provides a chance for the Nittany Lions to enter Big Ten play with a positive record.
Mike Rhoades’ squad is essentially brand new, with only one of its top-9 players in terms of minutes returning for the 2025-26 season in redshirt junior guard Freddie Dilione V. After that is an interesting blend of highly touted recruits, a few transfers and a number of international prospects, including some who are playing their first year of college basketball after playing professionally overseas.
With that in mind, this year’s nonconference provides an opportunity for the new pieces to gel together and get acclimated prior to conference play in the new calendar year.
Penn State will play an exhibition game against the Dayton Flyers on Oct. 19 in Dayton, Ohio, before the season officially kicks off in November.
Here is the nonconference schedule for the 2025-26 season
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationNov. 3FairfieldHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Nov. 8West HavenAwayWest Haven, CT.Nov. 11NavyHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Nov. 15La SalleNeutralPhiladelphia, PA (Xfinity Mobile Arena)Nov. 19HarvardHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Nov. 22ProvidenceNeutral (Hall of Fame Showcase)Uncasville, Conn.Nov. 25Boston UnivsersityHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Nov. 29Sacred HeartHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Dec. 2CampbellHomeState College, PA. (BJC)Dec. 21PittNeutralHershey, PA (GIANT Center)Dec. 29North Carolina CentralHomeState College, PA. (BJC)