Mike Rhoades: Rutgers win was ‘first step’ for future of Penn State basketball program

For the first time under Mike Rhoades, Penn State basketball went on the road and won. Wednesday night’s 61-46 win over Rutgers in Piscataway was a long time coming for a team that has suffered several crushing defeats away from the Bryce Jordan Center this season. Now with the burden lifted, the Nittany Lions can head into the final full month of the regular season with a newfound confidence.

At least, that is what Mike Rhoades is hoping for. After the game, Rhoades reflected on the magnitude of the win and its impact on the trajectory of his Penn State basketball program.

The pieces finally come together for the Nittany Lions on the road

Road venues have been houses of horrors for Penn State basketball so far this season. Coming into the week, the Nittany Lions hadn’t won a game outside of Pennsylvania, going a combined 0-8 in away and true neutral sites. The month of January was particularly brutal for first-year head coach Mike Rhoades, losing three road games by an average of 20 points.

Things didn’t appear to be getting any easier for the Nittany Lions on Wednesday. Down star guard Kayne Clary due to injury, Penn State fell into an early hole in front of a hostile crowd inside Jersey Mike’s Arena.

But where previously this team faltered, this time, the Nittany Lions rallied. Penn State took the lead late in the first half and held on to it, fighting off several Scarlet Knight runs to earn a gritty 61-46 win.

Mike Rhoades: Rutgers win was the “first step” for the future of Penn State basketball

The Nittany Lions’ turbulent January was always about more than wins and losses for Mike Rhoades. Beyond the 3-5 record, the month’s challenges served as a proving ground to help establish a culture of toughness and determination within the Penn State basketball program.

And, for Rhoades, Wednesday’s win was a step in the right direction, a check in the box that can help the program move forward.

“For us to get where we want to take the program, where I want to put our mark on the program and Penn State basketball moving forward is, you got to go on the road in the Big Ten and beat people on their court,” he said “This was a first step for us today. And to do it here hopefully gives our guys confidence to do it in other places.”

Down the program’s leading scorer in Clary, several Nittany Lions stepped up Wednesday against Rutgers. Ace Baldwin and D’Marco Dunn had 15 and 14 points, respectively. Qudus Wahab and Zach Hicks added a combined 18 rebounds. In the victory, Rhoades found the well-rounded, resolute performance he yearned for.

“A lot of guys stepped up,” Rhoades said. “So it’s a great program win for us. Hopefully, we can build on it.”

Penn State basketball hits the road once again Saturday, traveling to Bloomington to take on the Indiana Hoosiers.

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