By now, everyone seems to understand that Penn State basketball doesn't have the resources it needs to compete in the Big Ten. The reality is that if Penn State wants to be a good basketball team this season, it's going to take a big-time job from head coach Mike Rhoades and some of the players on his roster.
Guys are going to have to play better than expected, and Rhoades is going to have to do a lot more than other coaches around the league with less.
That's a problem in itself, but we're at the point now where Penn State can't do anything to change that.
The reality is that until Pat Kraft gives this program what it needs, it's going to have to work with less. Heading into the 2026-27 college basketball season, Penn State is at the bottom of the Big Ten, according to most insiders and polls, and while that would be an easy excuse, Rhoades doesn't sound willing to take it.
He said that some things aren't in his control or his players' control, but certain things are, and they need to find a way to do the most with that.
"There's certain things that are in your control," Rhoades said, per 247 Sports.
"There's certain things that aren't. It is what it is, so you got to do the best you can with what you have. You're just trying to find the best fits. You got to find a level of talent in this league. You gotta find the people that fit me, fit our program and our staff. One thing I will say is, if you're gonna have to do that every year, character and toughness gotta be way, way high on the list. We all know you gotta get enough talent, but character and toughness during this situation, that's the key."
This offseason, he took a completely different approach in the transfer portal than we've seen in years past.
Last year, Penn State looked like it had some talent, but the guys were simply too young.
Instead of going in a similar direction this year, the Nittany Lions attacked the portal hard and brought in some older players who should make a bigger impact than others did a year ago.