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Praise pours in for Penn State basketball and return to Rec Hall

Praise came pouring in for Penn State basketball and the scene at Rec Hall following Wednesday’s epic upset of No. 12 Illinois, fueling the argument that perhaps the “Return to Rec” should become permanent.

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Penn State basketball, Rec Hall, Illinois, Mike Rhoades, Brad Underwood
Feb 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Fans rush the court after the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 90-89 at Rec Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State basketball added another tale to the storied history of Rec Hall Wednesday night, rallying from down seven points with under 40 seconds to play to stun No. 12 Illinois 90-89. The scene was an exclamation point on what was an all-hands-on effort to get the Nittany Lions back in the historic venue. Praise came pouring in from across the college basketball world after the game, including from Mike Rhoades and Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood, only further fueling the discussion around more frequent returns for the basketball program to Rec Hall.

Praise pours in for atmosphere at Rec Hall in stunning upset

Rec Hall has seen a lot in its 96-year history, but very few scenes likely top what we witnessed on Wednesday night. Down seven points with 40 seconds to play, Penn State basketball came storming back with eight unanswered points to upset No. 12 Illinois. The Nittany Lion faithful then did a little storming of their own, creating the lasting image for a memorable “Return to Rec” for Mike Rhoades and his program.

And people took notice. The electric environment and epic comeback were the talk of college basketball Wednesday night, with voices from across the sport chiming in on the scene in Rec Hall.

Praise even came from the defeated Fighting Illini. After the game, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood applauded the Rec Hall crowd, although lamenting that Penn State chose his program for the experience.

“Give Penn State all the credit in the world,” Underwood said. “They never quit; they never laid down. Tremendous atmosphere, great environment. Wish we were back in the other place; it created a nice buzz and atmosphere. Congratulations to their administration for trying something new. That was a great environment for college basketball.”

Mike Rhoades showed his appreciation for the effort that went into making the event possible, including the numerous Nittany Lion athletic programs that had to make room in the venue for Penn State basketball to have its “Return to Rec.”

“No matter what happened today, what the result was, just everybody coming together to make this happen to make this a really cool night, a fun night for Penn State University and our basketball team [was special],” Rhoades said. “Most importantly, we get fired up with games, but the appreciation for everybody that had something to do with tonight to make this real.”

Will Penn State basketball keep making the “Return to Rec?”

With the win, Penn State basketball is now 517-184 all-time in Rec Hall, including a 3-1 record since leaving the venue in 1996. The logistical challenges of filling the 15,000-seat Bryce Jordan Center for midweek basketball being what they are, there has been a longstanding argument for the Nittany Lions to frequent Rec Hall on a more reoccurring basis.

While there are many moving parts and programs that have to be temporarily displaced to make the “Return to Rec” a reality, the scene Wednesday evening likely only further adds to that debate.

But will Penn State basketball look to take the hardwood in Rec Hall more often? Mike Rhoades would support the move, but ultimately, he wants his Nittany Lions to be ready to play anytime, anywhere.

“Look, I’ll play anywhere, anytime,” Rhoades said when asked about future games in Rec Hall. “That’s how we’ll roll. I said at my [introductory] press conference, let’s think outside the box for Penn State basketball. Let’s not do the norm, right? Let’s be different. Let’s go around the state and play; let’s go around the Mid-Atlantic region and play anybody and figure it out.

“But this was old school, this was like check it up and let’s go play in a hot gym, which is what it’s all about and a lot of fun. I hope we can [play at Rec Hall more], but that’s more of an administrative question. But they’re thinking outside the box too, and I appreciate that.”

The Lady Lions will have their own “Return to Rec” on Thursday night, taking on No. 2 Ohio State at 6 p.m. Mike Rhoades and his squad head back across campus to the Bryce Jordan Center to play Indiana at noon on Saturday.



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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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