ICYMI: Penn State basketball announces return to Rec Hall

This weekend may have been focused on the Penn State football team and its homecoming blowout win over UMass, but Penn State basketball made some headlines as well. On Saturday, it was announced that both the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions will be returning to historic Rec Hall for single-game matchups in February 2024.

Penn State basketball “Returns to Rec” against Illinois

The first to hit the hardwood in Rec Hall will be the men’s team. On February 21, Penn State basketball will take on Big Ten foe Illinois in the historic venue.

The last time the Nittany Lions played in Rec Hall for a game was in 2015, in a 54-50 win against Louisiana-Monroe. However, Penn State called Rec Hall home for the better part of seven decades, from 1929 to 1996. The venue witnessed the Nittany Lions go on a 45-game win streak from 1951 to 1955 and reach the Final Four in 1954.

With excitement buzzing around new coach Mike Rhoades in Happy Valley and his new-look squad of transfers,  this should be an interesting matchup in a venue that hasn’t seen basketball in several years. 

A homecoming of our own 🦁

Return to Rec
Penn State vs. Illinois
2.21.24#WeAre | https://t.co/cuY8iyjx4N pic.twitter.com/mgSLJUsSg0

— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) October 14, 2023

Lady Lions get their turn against the Buckeyes

The following night, the Lady Lions will return to Rec Hall themselves, taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

The last time that the Lady Lions played a game in Rec Hall was in 1995, which was the final season they played at the venue before making a similar move to the Bryce Jordan Center.  Achievements in the venue include a .857 winning percentage across the 20 years, along with four undefeated seasons.  The Lady Lions also played an NCAA postseason game in Rec Hall in 1982, where they defeated Clemson.

Tell a friend to tell a friend… WE’RE BACK

For the first time in 28 years, the Lady Lions will return to Rec Hall on February 22nd, 2024 #homecoming 🏠#LionMentality 🦁 pic.twitter.com/UYKghcL7rE

— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) October 14, 2023

For both teams, the “Return to Rec” games are a calling to their roots.  Some Penn State fans have called for the return to Rec Hall over the years. Although only temporary, these games will give the Nittany Lion faithful a chance to blast to the past in the modern day.

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