Penn State basketball 2025-26 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation explored

Penn State comes off a 16-15 season last year. But with seniors and portal departures, the Nittany Lions are nearly building anew. With most of the focus on a top freshman class, Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades is clearly betting on young talent. Here's a rundown on a likely still evolving Penn State roster ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 hoops season.

Penn State basketball season preview for 2025-26

Cincinnati transfer Josh Reed could be a significant addition for the Nittany Lions via the transfer portal. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Starting Lineup

Guard: Kayden Mingo

A high four-star recruit who was ranked the No. 4 national point guard in the class by 247sports, Mingo figures to be a must-see player this coming season. A solid ball-handler and perimeter scorer, Mingo draws rave reviews for his competitive streak. That'll be a good thing on a thin PSU team. Mingo could be one of the top guards in the Big Ten, and PSU will need him to be at that level.

Guard: Freddie Dilione

A transfer from Tennessee a year ago, Dilione was a significant starter for the Nittany Lions last season. He averaged 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. If Dilione can improve on his 29% 3-point shooting numbers, he'll probably be an even more important part of the coming season's team. He's the only experienced returning Nittany Lion.

Forward: Josh Reed

A wing transfer from Cincinnati, Reed is a 6-foot-9 wing who started nine games for the Bearcats last year. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He's a career 33% 3-point shooter and figures to see many more opportunities to shine at Penn State than he did at UC. As the only frontcourt player with Division I experience, Reed will see plenty of playing time.

Forward: Mason Blackwood

A four-star forward recruit, Blackwood impressed evaluators with his perimeter scoring ability at 6-foot-7. The challenge for Blackwood will be the athleticism of the Big Ten, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. But on a team without a bunch of frontcourt options, Blackwood's shooting touch could be the best on the team. He'll have to grow up in a hurry.

Center: Ivan Juric

This spot is basically a mystery, but the 7-foot Juric, an international signee by way of a year in Kansas prep basketball, is one of just two players on the current roster above 6-foot-7. A solid Croatian player, Juric will be a long athlete but also a perimeter threat, which probably gives him a leg up over the roster's other current big man.

Rotation Players

Returnees Eli Rice and Dominick Stewart figure to help in the backcourt. Turkish signee Melih Tunca and former Fordham signee Reggie Grodin are also guards. The only other player currently on the roster is freshman big man Justin Houser, who would likely to see minutes in a sparsely-populated frontcourt.

Impact Players

There's so little talent here that Mingo, as the one guy who flashes national-level skills, will have to be the heart of this team. Penn State's freshman class will yield dividends, but with so little to help, can Mingo do enough to carry the Nittany Lions?

What do you think of Penn State's team? Share your take below in our comments section!