The Penn State Nittany Lions men’s basketball team is set to compete against the La Salle Explorers on Saturday. This game will take place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, starting at 1 p.m. It will be broadcast live on Peacock.
Nittany Lions’ Impressive Start
Penn State enters this matchup with a 3-0 record. This marks the fourth consecutive year they have begun their season with three wins. The Nittany Lions recently secured an 80-71 victory over Navy.
Leading the team is freshman Kayden Mingo, who is averaging 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He is supported by fellow players:
- Melih Tunca – 14.0 points per game
- Freddie Dilione V – 11.0 points per game
- Dominick Stewart – 11.0 points per game
Scouting La Salle Explorers
La Salle, under head coach Darris Nichols in his inaugural season, holds a 2-1 record. Their latest game ended in a 90-63 loss to Temple. The Explorers had previously defeated Coppin State (87-59) and Monmouth (73-60).
Jaeden Marshall leads La Salle with 16.7 points per game, while Jerome Brewer Jr. contributes 11.0 points per contest. The team’s top rebounder is Josiah Harris, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game. Ashton Walker leads in assists with 5.3 per game.
Historical Context
This game marks the sixth meeting between Penn State and La Salle. Their first encounter was in the 1954 NCAA Tournament Final Four, where La Salle emerged victorious.
Performance Metrics
Penn State’s performance statistics for the season are noteworthy:
- Averaging 81.0 points per game
- 50.3% shooting from the field
- Ranking seventh in the nation for fewest fouls per game (11.7)
- Ninth in fewest turnovers per game (7.3)
The Nittany Lions have displayed significant depth, with their bench contributing 38.67 points per game, ranking second in the Big Ten. Remarkably, the bench has outscored opposing benches 116-18 over the first three games.
Impact of Freshmen
Penn State’s success is heavily reliant on its freshmen, who have contributed significantly across various statistics. Together, eight freshmen account for:
- 52.3% of total points
- 51.4% of total rebounds
- 66.7% of total assists
This year’s roster consists of ten new players, making it one of the most inexperienced in Division I basketball.
Upcoming Schedule
Following this contest, Penn State will host Harvard on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
