Penn State and VCU are set to meet for the first time on a basketball court tonight.
A mid-week matchup is in store for the Penn State men’s basketball team (1-0) at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 as it plays host to VCU (2-1) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Three of the first four games on the Nittany Lions’ current schedule feature teams from Virginia with VMI in the season opener (W, 86-65), VCU and then a Tuesday, Dec. 8 contest at Virginia Tech.
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Penn State Basketball Preview: VCU
After a sluggish first half against VMI in its opening game of the year, the Penn State men’s basketball team gathered itself to race by the Keydets to the tune of a 21-point victory. The competition only ramps up now, however, as Jim Ferry’s men take on VCU in their second game of the season, hopefully giving us the first real glimpse at how good the team is and could be.
Mike Rhoades is in his fourth season at the helm of the Rams and has led them to one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. They currently sit at 2-1 on the year with solid wins over Utah State and Memphis surrounding a 78-66 loss to No, 15 West Virginia.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
VCU has looked solid, if unspectacular, in three games so far. The Rams should, however, be a good measuring pole for the Nittany Lions right now.
During one of the more turbulent times in program history, Penn State men’s basketball’s staff and players have made their stance on the coaching situation clear.
The veterans and young guys alike recently expressed confusion, disappointment and for some, even outright anger about the resignation of Pat Chambers in October, but stated they want to play this season out for their former coach. Chambers resigned Oct. 21 following an internal investigation prompted by an article in ESPN’s The Undefeated that came out July 6.
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