Penn State junior transfer Yanic Konan Niederhauser will be a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday’s game at USC (9 p.m. EST, BTN), per Jon Rothstein. Puff Johnson remains out with a wrist injury.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is reported as being a game-time decision for tonight’s game per @JonRothstein.
The 7-foot Swiss — who has missed the last two games with an ankle sprain — is in the midst of a career year, averaging 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and a league high 2.1… https://t.co/QdHPBBOeW9
— Brennan Valladares (@Valladares7B) February 11, 2025
Konan Niederhauser has missed the last two games with an ankle sprain. The 7-foot Swiss attempted to play before Saturday’s loss to UCLA but was unable to.
He was enjoying a career year at Penn State before his injury, averaging career highs in points (12.7), rebounds (6.2) and field-goal shooting (62.2%). His last game against Ohio State was his best in the Big Ten. He scored 21 points (8-of-14 shooting) and grabbed five rebounds.
Head coach Mike Rhoades mentioned during his postgame interview Penn State’s lack of a post presence played a role in its struggles against UCLA’s defense.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“We only had seven assists … We didn’t get downhill and make the right reads … and we had no post presence. Without Yanic, you got to throw it in there, that’s a paint touch, and the ball moves. We just had no post presence.”
Konan Niederhauser is an interior force who can draw defensive attention, which opens up other players. He has been one of the most efficient post-up scorers in the nation, ranking in the 81st percentile in points-per-post-up according to Synergy Sports.
If Rhoades’ starting center isn’t cleared by tipoff, Kachi Nzeh would most likely be inserted into the starting lineup. Nzeh has started the last two games and played nearly 20 minutes against UCLA, recording two points, four rebounds and a block.
Penn State-USC will take place inside the Galen Center on Tuesday. It is the final game of the Nittany Lions’ West Coast trip, who will return home for a two-game homestand against Washington and Nebraska.
