Penn State men’s basketball was projected to finish dead last in the Big Ten… but with four new international players and a promising young core, that narrative may change fast.

Zach Seyko is joined by the voice of Penn State basketball, Steve Jones, for a deep dive into:

- The complete roster transformation under Mike Rhoades

- The arrival of international professionals and the mystery surrounding their upside

- Why Kaden Mingo could be a future star — and maybe even a one-and-done talent

- The importance of a healthy Eli Rice, Dom Stewart, and Freddie Dilione

- What the team lost with Yannick Niederhauser going to the NBA

- Why chemistry, not talent, might be the key to success

- What Steve’s seen in summer workouts — and what he still doesn’t know

It’s a fresh start in Happy Valley. This team is green, but hungry.

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00:00 – Why Penn State Basketball May Surprise People in 2025

01:40 – Kaden Mingo’s Early Impact + Leadership as a Freshman

04:10 – Freddie Dilione & Eli Rice Finally Healthy

06:00 – Dom Stewart Becomes a Vet — And a Sharpshooter

07:40 – The Mystery of the International Players

09:00 – Roster Turnover Across the Big Ten Makes Predictions Pointless

10:00 – Sponsor Read: FanDuel

11:10 – Niederhauser’s NBA Rise & Big Shoes to Fill

13:00 – Small Ball Could Be PSU’s Identity Again

14:30 – Blackwood + Mingo + Stewart = Core with Upside

16:30 – Defense Will Define This Team’s Ceiling

18:00 – Mike Rhoades Still Has Buy-In — From Players and Staff

20:00 – Last Season’s Collapse: More About Injuries Than Coaching

22:30 – Close Losses, Bad Luck, and the 2023–24 Breakdown

24:30 – Why Taylor Battle’s Return to PSU Matters

26:00 – Staff Strengths: Crispin’s Offense, Brunt’s Defense, Scott’s Bigs

27:30 – Can This Be the Year Rhoades Shuts Up the Doubters?

29:00 – Final Thoughts: Chemistry + Perception = Make-or-Break Year