In the first update to the NCAA Net Rankings, Penn State was slotted at 34. However, in the Associated Press Poll, the team didn’t garner any votes.
The updates to both lists come after PSU went 2-1 last week, losing its first game of the season in a Quad 1 matchup with Clemson (NET18).
After that showdown for the Sunshine Slam Championship, Ace Baldwin Jr. was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 16 points and nine assists.
Sunshine Slam All-Tournament Team honors for @yeah_ace3๐#WeAre pic.twitter.com/n4CfexVTV7
โ Penn State Menโs Basketball (@PennStateMBB) November 27, 2024
The Nittany Lions’ most recent win came against Buffalo on Sunday, giving the team its best start in five years.
In that game, Yanic Konan Niederhauser tied a career-high 27 points, while Freddie Dilione V (career-high 16) and Nick Kern Jr. (12) combined for 28.
On the season, Penn State is 38th in KenPom’s net ratings, ranking within the top 54 in offensive and defensive efficiency. PSU averages the fourth most points in the country (91.2), has the 11th highest scoring margin (23) and is within the top 20 in both steals per game (10.8, 10th) and turnovers forced per game (17.25, 14th).
Thursday will be the conference opener for Mike Rhoades and company against a rolling Purdue squad. Currently, Penn State leads the Big Ten in points per game, field goal percentage and steals. But while Purdue may be trailing in major statistical categories, it has had the 40th toughest non-conference schedule so far this year, per KenPom.
The Nittany Lions and the Boilermakers will go head-to-head in the Bryce Jordan Center at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
