Penn State men’s basketball coach Mike Rhoades has been pretty open about the program’s issues with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) funding lately. He pointed out just how far behind the Nittany Lions are compared to other Big Ten schools.
On a recent Zoom call, Rhoades talked about the team’s limited resources and how that affects their ability to compete. They’re hoping to bring in more experienced players and bounce back after a rough season.
Let’s dig into what Rhoades said and what it might mean for Penn State basketball moving forward.
Challenges with NIL Funding
Coach Rhoades didn’t sugarcoat it—Penn State’s NIL situation is, in his words, *very limited in a lot of resources*. It’s especially tough when it comes to getting the kind of talent you need to keep up in the Big Ten.
When someone asked where Penn State stands in the conference, Rhoades just said it: *We’re at the bottom [of the conference].*
The Arms Race in College Basketball
He admitted that no coach ever feels like they have enough. It’s an *arms race*, as he put it, with everyone fighting for more funding and better resources.
Still, Rhoades isn’t making excuses. “You got whatever you’re given, you got to try to do the best that you can with it, and make no excuses, and figure it out,” he said. That’s about as honest as it gets.
Last Season’s Struggles
Last year, Penn State put one of the youngest teams in college basketball on the court. There were eight freshmen. Unsurprisingly, that led to a 12-20 record and just three wins in the Big Ten.
The season ended early, with a first-round loss to Northwestern in the conference tournament. The Nittany Lions were the No. 18 seed. Ouch.
The Impact of Youth and Inexperience
Sophomore center Ivan Jurić didn’t dance around it—being so young and inexperienced really hurt them, especially in close games. To make matters worse, standout freshman point guard Kayden Mingo transferred to Baylor.
Learning from Past Decisions
Rhoades is determined not to repeat last year’s mistakes. He said he never wants to be *the youngest team in Power 4 basketball ever again.*
This time around, the plan is to add older, more experienced players through the transfer portal. Makes sense, right?
Adding Experience through Transfers
Penn State signed six transfers, all with at least two years of eligibility left. Rhoades thinks these guys will help the team be more competitive in conference games.
“We were trying to get some older guys, guys with experience, and find a way to get them here, and I think we did a good job of that with what we have,” he said. There’s a bit of hope in his tone, honestly.
The Broader Big Ten Landscape
While Penn State was struggling with youth, other Big Ten teams just kept getting *bigger and older and deeper with older guys.*
Michigan, for instance, won the national championship with a starting five full of experienced transfers. That’s a tough comparison for any program.
The Michigan Example
Michigan’s success is a reminder of how much ground Penn State still has to make up. The Wolverines beat Penn State twice last season, including a brutal 110-69 loss in Ann Arbor.
By bringing in older players this offseason, Penn State’s hoping not to repeat that kind of result. No one wants to go through that again.
Looking Ahead
Even with all these challenges, Rhoades keeps a positive outlook. He says you need a plan and the right attitude: *When the rich keep getting richer, you … just got to figure it out.*
He’s committed to fighting for the program and making sure the players who want to be at Penn State represent the school the right way. It’s not easy, but he sounds up for the challenge.
Commitment to Improvement
Rhoades knows staying the same in college sports is basically falling behind. “It’s all about the players that we have here, the guys that want to be here, and they’re going to work super hard for us and represent us the right way,” he said.
Conclusion
Penn State’s got its hands full with NIL funding issues, especially when stacked up against programs with deeper pockets. Coach Mike Rhoades, though, seems set on squeezing every ounce of potential out of what they’ve got.
He’s putting a lot of energy into bringing in players who’ve already logged some miles on the court. There’s also a big emphasis on building a team culture that actually feels good to be a part of.
Honestly, it’s not going to be an easy path. The Big Ten? That’s a tough crowd. Still, with Rhoades steering the ship, the Nittany Lions aren’t backing down anytime soon.
Want the full scoop on what Rhoades had to say and the details behind Penn State’s NIL situation? Check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
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