Penn State men’s basketball hasn’t started this well since the turn of the century, but the Nittany Lions have broken the streak after defeating Fordham 85-66 in the Sunshine Slam semifinal.
The last time the program started this well was during the 1999-00 season when program greats Joe Crispin and Jarrett Stephens earned All-Conference honors and led the team to an upset of Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
It’s a new age and a new cast for Penn State, as second-year coach Mike Rhoades and point guard Ace Baldwin Jr. now lead the program. The team averages 96 points per game in six contests and shoots 39% from 3-point range. The program is also starting to receive national attention as it’s received votes in both national polls.
Penn State has a chance at an early signature win as the Nittany Lions will face Clemson in the Sunshine Slam championship. It’s also a chance to repeat history, as the program defeated the Tigers 85-75 during the last 6-0 start in 1999. It would significantly boost a program with goals of ascension to win an early-season tournament against a formidable opponent, especially as the program opens up conference play a week from Thanksgiving.
A win would also bode well in encouraging fans to attend games in the Bryce Jordan Center, where Rhoades wants fans to “sweat with us” as the team builds on its early success.
After the Clemson game, Penn State will host Buffalo on Dec. 1 before taking on nationally-ranked Purdue on Dec. 5.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Penn State men’s basketball’s best start in over two decades
