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Penn State Coach Rhoades Navigates Young Team's Mood Swings
Nittany Lions split two-game Big Ten road trip, handling games differently mentally
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades has been working to guide his young team through the mental challenges of playing in the competitive Big Ten conference. The Nittany Lions split a recent two-game road trip, with Rhoades noting a stark difference in how the team handled the games mentally. In a win over Washington, Rhoades praised the team's grit and competitive spirit, but in a loss to Oregon, he felt the team was "sensitive" and it affected their play.
Why it matters
With eight freshmen on the roster, Penn State is facing an obvious age difference compared to many of their Big Ten opponents. Rhoades has made it a priority to coach his young team through the mental side of the game, as he believes that is what separates average players from great ones.
The details
In the win over Washington, Rhoades said the team showed a "great juice" and competitive spirit when things didn't go their way. But in the loss to Oregon, he felt the team was "sensitive" and it affected how they approached the game. Rhoades has tried to coach his team to respond to adversity rather than just react emotionally, like committing turnovers. He believes this mental toughness is crucial for young players to develop.
- Penn State beat Washington 63-60 on their Big Ten road trip.
- Three nights later, Penn State lost to Oregon 83-72.
The players
Mike Rhoades
The head coach of the Penn State men's basketball team, tasked with guiding a young roster through the challenges of the Big Ten conference.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The college basketball team from Pennsylvania State University, with an eight-freshman roster competing in the highly competitive Big Ten.
What they’re saying
“I thought in Washington when things didn't go our way, we had this competitive spirit, this great juice. Now the Oregon game, I felt we were sensitive, and it affected how we saw the game.”
— Mike Rhoades, Head Coach (si.com)
“I gotta pick it up because I think that's what keeps average players from being good players, good players from being great players, great players from becoming elite players and teams.”
— Mike Rhoades, Head Coach (si.com)
What’s next
Penn State returns home on Wednesday to host Rutgers in a 6 p.m. ET game at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The takeaway
Rhoades' focus on developing the mental toughness of his young Penn State team is crucial as they navigate the challenges of the Big Ten conference. Learning to respond to adversity rather than just react emotionally will be key for the Nittany Lions to reach their full potential this season.
