Penn State men’s basketball continues to turn some heads early on this season and was hoping they would catch the attention of enough voters to make an appearance in the national rankings this week. Despite a dominating victory over Purdue last week to improve to 8-1 this season, the Nittany Lions are still sitting on the outside looking in on the latest top 25 polls.
Penn State sits 10th among the others receiving votes in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, which was updated on Monday. Purdue only fell four spots after its loss to the Nittany Lions, dropping from no. 7 down to no. 11. The Boilermakers are one spot ahead of new Big Ten member Oregon, who fell two spots this week. Other Big Ten teams in the coaches poll this week include Michigan (14), Michigan State (19), UCLA (21), and Wisconsin (22).
Illinois fell out of the coaches poll and is one of three Big Ten schools among the others receiving votes; Penn State and Maryland are the others.
Penn State fares a little better in the AP Top 25 this week. Still among the others receiving votes in the media poll, Penn State is fifth in the others receiving votes category of this week’s AP poll.
After a statement win over Purdue at home last week, Penn State will be back in Big Ten action on Tuesday night with a road game at Rutgers. Rutgers is looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Nittany Lions on Tuesday evening.
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