Penn State's Freshmen Twin Towers Impress Despite Struggles

Freshmen forwards Ivan Juric and Justin Houser provide bright spots for young Nittany Lions squad.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Penn State men's basketball's young squad, featuring eight freshmen, is struggling against more experienced Big Ten teams this season. However, two freshmen 7-foot forwards, Ivan Juric and Justin Houser, have emerged as bright spots for the Nittany Lions despite the team's 1-12 conference record.

Why it matters

Penn State's struggles this season were expected as the team rebuilds with a roster full of newcomers. But the rapid development of Juric and Houser, the team's 'twin towers', provides hope for the future and shows the potential of the Nittany Lions' frontcourt.

The details

Juric, from Croatia, has already established himself as the team's 'go-to big man' and top interior defender. He leads the team in rebounds and field goal percentage. Houser, from Pennsylvania, was originally planned to redshirt but has impressed with increased playing time, showcasing his potential with strong performances against Minnesota and Michigan.

  • Penn State is currently 1-12 in the Big Ten this season.
  • Juric missed two games due to the flu earlier this season.
  • Houser played 21 minutes and scored 6 points in a loss at Michigan.

The players

Ivan Juric

A 7-foot freshman forward from Zagreb, Croatia who has emerged as Penn State's top interior presence, leading the team in rebounds and field goal percentage.

Justin Houser

A 7-foot freshman forward from Malvern, Pennsylvania who was originally planned to redshirt but has impressed with increased playing time, showcasing his potential.

Mike Rhoades

The head coach of the Penn State men's basketball team, who warned fans that there would be growing pains with this young squad.

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What they’re saying

“Juric is soft-spoken off the court, but when on the court, he is probably the best communicator.”

— Mike Rhoades, Head Coach (nittanysportsnow.com)

“Houser's ceiling is high, no pun intended. His playing time has steadily increased as he is showing his untapped potential in each game played.”

— nittanysportsnow.com (nittanysportsnow.com)

What’s next

As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how much Juric and Houser's playing time and roles expand as Penn State looks to the future.

The takeaway

Despite Penn State's struggles this season, the rapid development of freshmen forwards Ivan Juric and Justin Houser provides hope for the Nittany Lions' frontcourt and the program's long-term outlook.