Penn State-Rutgers Preview: Nittany Lions Seek Elusive Road Win

Penn State coach Mike Rhoades looks for his first true road victory with the Nittany Lions.

The arc of Penn State's development under first-year coach Mike Rhoades has wound through several checkpoints: the team's rebounding disadvantages, erratic 3-point shooting rate and inability to play a consistent 40 minutes. Rhoades also has added another factor to the list: road games.

Penn State has yet to win a true road game this season, going 0-4 in Big Ten road contests. Add to that four neutral-site losses, and Penn State is 1-8 away from the Bryce Jordan Center. That win technically was a home game against Michigan at the Palestra in Philadelphia.

Thus, this week is critical for the Nittany Lions, who play back-to-back road games at Rutgers and Indiana. Penn State has to win a road game at some point, right?

"Without a doubt," Rhoades told reporters in State College at his weekly media availability Monday. "To become a very good program in your conference, you have to go on the road and beat people."

First up: Penn State visits Rutgers. Here's what you should know.

Penn State (9-11) vs. Rutgers (10-9)

When: 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Jersey Mike's Arena, Piscataway, N.J.

TV: Big Ten Network

Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)

Series history: Penn State leads 45-36

Last meeting: Rutgers 59-56 on Feb. 26, 2023

KenPom rankings: Penn State is No. 115; Rutgers is No. 95

NCAA NET rankings: Penn State is No. 126; Rutgers is No. 99

About the Nittany Lions: More on the road issues. Penn State's has played two pretty good road games, against Texas A&M (in a November tournament) and Maryland, losing both. The overtime loss at Maryland in December was part of a five-game losing streak. The Lions' three other Big Ten losses largely weren't close. And they began a recent road loss to Ohio State by falling behind 16-0. "We haven't done that yet," Rhoades said of winning on the road, "and it’s one of the hardest things to do, especially in [the Big Ten]." It will get harder without leading scorer Kanye Clary, who is listed as "out" on the availability report. Rhoades had described Clary as "day-to-day" after his injury against Minnesota. Clary has been Penn State's offensive pivot point, the player its erratic team turns to when it needs a basket. If he's out, Ace Baldwin Jr. and Nick Kern Jr. will carry more of the offensive load, while Leo O'Boyle will need to make shots off the bench. But since scoring 15 points, on 4-for-5 shooting, against Ohio State in December, O'Boyle has made just 4 of 19 shots in 10 games.

About the Scarlet Knights: Coach Steve Pikiell's team has been as uneven as Penn State, with a 2-6 Big Ten record and no road conference wins. But the Knights are 9-2 at home and caused Purdue some sweat in a 68-60 home loss Sunday. Had Rutgers shot better than 0-for-8 from 3-point range in the first half, the game might have been different. Rutgers is not an offensive machine; it ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring at 67.9 points per game. Rutgers is the only conference team averaging fewer than 70 points per game. The Knights counter with a defense that allows just 67.9 points (third in the conference) and held Purdue to its second-lowest output this season. Penn State won't want to challenge 6-11 center Clifford Omoruyi. who is among the nation's premier shot-blockers. Omoruyi has blocked 59 shots, which leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally. He has six more blocks than Purdue center Zach Edey. Rutgers also ranks third in the Big Ten in rebounding. The lane won't be friendly, so Penn State will have to make shots from the field.  

More on Penn State Basketball

Penn State Basketball on SI.com

Kanye Clary, Penn State's leading scorer, is "day-to-day" after being injured against Minnesota

Penn State women's basketball drives toward NCAA Tournament

Makenna Marisa makes Penn State basketball history

'That's not us,' Penn State says after blowing big lead against Minnesota

Penn State dampens momentum in loss to Ohio State

Penn State scores major upset of No. 11 Wisconsin

Nittany Lions can't contain Zach Edey, Purdue

Penn State scores key win over Michigan at the Palestra

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.