Ace Baldwin Jr. just couldn’t miss. He hit four 3-pointers in a row and sunk a layup for 15 points, dished out four assists and notched three steals — all in just 23 minutes of work — to seal a 108-66 win in Penn State basketball’s season opener against Binghamton on Monday. The Nittany Lions eclipsed 100 points in a game for the first time since 2017, and the 108 points scored is tied for the fourth-most in program history.
Zach Hicks was just as dominant, if not more. He scored a team-high 22 points while grabbing seven rebounds and notching three steals of his own. The efforts of Baldwin and Hicks complemented a stellar debut for 7-foot-1 center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a transfer from Northern Illinois, who slam-dunked his way to 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
It could not have been a better opener to the second year of Mike Rhoades’ head coaching tenure. Hicks put it best postgame. “This is not the same team from last year,” he said after a win that showcased an already instilled defensive effort, paired with a shooting ability that, if consistent, could challenge Big Ten opponents.
“We always say this, you want to have multiple handlers and multiple shooters on the court together,” Rhoades said. “It creates extreme space, gives your teammates the gift of space and then, when that ball gets hot, you’ve got to pick your poison.”
That ball was certainly hot on Monday, with Penn State sinking 13-of-31 attempts from deep range. It’s a matter of how hot the ball remains that could ultimately dictate the team’s fate this season.
What else was learned about the Nittany Lions in their season opener?
ACE’S BEST BALL
Baldwin’s summer was hectic. He worked daily with Penn State’s player development coach Clay Conner in an effort to evolve from a collegiate athlete to a pro. Baldwin watched tape of NBA players and stuck around the facilities well after his teammates had left. Sometimes, Rhoades said, he came back at midnight for more.
Even on Monday, Baldwin was the last player to leave the court from early warmups. He had to sink two more 3-pointers before he felt satisfied enough to enter the locker room. It appears the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is in the process of becoming more than a relentless defender. Those around him believe Baldwin’s best ball is in front of him.
“He sees the light at the end of the tunnel. He just had a professional approach this summer in all areas, taking care of his body, the weight room and, of course, the gym,” Rhoades said. “So every year he’s become a better shooter, because we’ve demanded him to and work on it. But he’s taken to a whole nother level this offseason.”
KEEP AN EYE ON NIEDERHAUSER
He’s hard to miss. Niederhauser towers over his teammates and opponents alike. He’s a “big dog,” as Rhoades put it, a center who is able to dominate with his size but can also do damage with the ball in hand or from shooting range. Niederhauser is the type of player that, if used properly, can fill a major hole that plagued the Nittany Lions last season.
Niederhauser put back a missed layup by freshman point guard Jahvin Carter with intensity, following up on an electrifying dunk just possessions before. He provided the spark that ultimately put Penn State on the run toward a blowout victory.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Rhoades said. “He’s got so much more potential and so much more ability. I think if he hangs out with Ace and Nick (Kern Jr.) and those guys, he’s only going to get better and better. Yanic just has a great feel. He grew up in Europe playing. He played against pros for a long, long time.”
TURNIN’ IT OVER
For as good as the offense was, the Nittany Lions were arguably better defensively. They were three steals shy of tying a program record, finishing the night with 16. Their dynamic defense opened up tons of opportunities on the offensive end, with Penn State scoring a remarkable 31 points off of 21 turnovers.
INJURIES
Miles Goodman, a 6-foot-11 former four-star freshman, and Nebraska transfer Eli Rice, a wing, were both ruled inactive prior to tipoff. Rhoades said the unavailability of Goodman, who participated in early warmups, was simply “protocol.” Rice, Rhoades said, “won’t be too long.”
