Penn State went deep into its rotation during 2024-25, and a similar play style seems to be on deck.<\/p>\n
Mike Rhoades said earlier this month he \u201canticipates playing all different ways\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never want to be light on handling and shooting. Sometimes that makes you play smaller,\u201d Rhoades said July 15. \u201cBut I also do see some of our three men (being) bigger and stronger \u2026 That\u2019s going to be a big difference. Our wings are going to be Big Ten size.\u201d<\/p>\n
With all that in mind, here\u2019s a look into some of the personnel combinations Penn State could use throughout a game in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions 82-81.<\/p>\n
Samantha Oropeza<\/p>\n
Three guards, one forward, one big<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On this year\u2019s squad, this lineup grouping would likely feature guards Kayden Mingo, Melih Tunca and Freddie Dilione V with Tibor Mirti\u010d at power forward and Sa\u0161a Ciani at the five.<\/p>\n
Both Mingo and Tunca have experience as a point guard, so there shouldn\u2019t be a ball handling concern here.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Down low, Mirti\u010d 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.<\/p>\n
As such, Penn State could choose to opt to rotate in a lineup that alleviates its frontcourt, which would be via its wings.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jacob DeLuca<\/p>\n
One guard, three wings, one big<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Paired with Mingo or Tunca at point guard, the Nittany Lions would have four players who should earn some respect beyond the arc. That\u2019ll open up the paint more and give Mirti\u010d or Ciani an easier time.<\/p>\n
Still, any opposing center above 6-foot-10 would have a height advantage, once again giving Penn State a tougher test on the glass.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions 82-81.<\/p>\n
Samantha Oropeza<\/p>\n
One point guard, two guards\/wings, two bigs<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions have two 7-footers in Ivan Juri\u0107 and Justin Houser, but they\u2019re both freshmen. With a lack of experienced frontcourt depth, at least one of them will see meaningful minutes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s probably best to have Juri\u0107 or Houser be paired with one of Mirti\u010d or Ciani while they\u2019re on the floor. That way, the frontcourt duties wouldn\u2019t be totally reliant on a freshman.<\/p>\n
Filling out the rest of this potential lineup, it\u2019s again a necessity to have at least one of Mingo or Tunca on the court for ball handling purposes.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE<\/p>\n