It’s Friday, Penn State fans. The men’s basketball team secured a massive win in the Big Ten Tournament last night, defeating Illinois, 79-76. Football is also about to be in the spotlight, as spring practice will begin next Tuesday when players and coaches return from spring break.
For today’s newsstand, we look at where head coach James Franklin ranks in the latest Top 25 coaches poll by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. We’ll also recaps hoops and look at a four-star recruit who included Penn State among his top schools Thursday.
Tweets of the Day
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman ranks the top 25 coaches in college football every year, and as expected, Franklin ranked high on the list. Following a Rose Bowl win in January, Franklin and the Nittany Lions are once again considered among college football’s best teams heading into 2023.
Franklin was recognized for his efforts, ranking fifth in Feldman’s poll. For some perspective, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh ranked fourth, while Ohio State’s Ryan Day ranked sixth.
” I seem to get more pushback on Franklin than any coach in these rankings,” Feldman wrote. “Some of that is probably due to my recognition of just what a remarkable job he did at Vandy prior to his time in Happy Valley. In short, he took an SEC program that hadn’t finished in the Top 25 in more than 60 years to two Top 25 seasons in three years. Vandy hasn’t had a winning season since he left, going 34-73. The 51-year-old took over a Penn State program that was gutted from hefty sanctions and by Year 3 led the Nittany Lions to a 2016 Big Ten title. He’s had four top-10 finishes in the past seven seasons, winning 11 games four times. He’s proven to be one of the country’s top recruiters and program builders.”
Click the tweet below to read Feldman’s complete article.
Ranking the Top 25 coaches in college football: why Jim Harbaugh belongs back in the top 4; why Lance Leipold deserves to be the highest ranked Big 12 coach; how far should Jimbo fall? And, which seven SEC coaches made it: https://t.co/2vW0cei7SQ
Deep Dive: Sean Fitz breaks down Penn State cornerback target Jon Mitchell
As mentioned, Penn State’s men’s basketball program won another massive game Thursday night, defeating Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, 79-76. It’s projected that last night’s win will get the Nittany Lions into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. The Nittany Lions have now won six of their final seven games to put themselves in this position following a four-game losing stream to start February.
Andrew Funk led the team with 20 points scored, hitting 6 of 9 three-point shots. Jalen Pickett scored 12 points while also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists. BWI’s Nate Bauer recaps everything you need to know below.
Penn State fought through foul trouble and a physical Illinois team Thursday night en route to a critical win in Chicago at the B1G Tournament. And with it, the Nittany Lions are likely headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.https://t.co/sRjTC2JEPx
Finally, top recruit Aaron Chiles, from Good Counsel in Maryland, announced his top 10 schools Thursday. The nation’s 109th-ranked prospect, according to the On3 Consensus, Chiles included the Nittany Lions among the group. Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, LSU Maryland, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State are the other nine schools.
Chiles last visited Penn State in October. He has official visits set to Florida and Michigan for June. Although he’s listed as a linebacker – Penn State already has two linebackers committed – it’s believed that he could also play defensive end at the next level.
🚨NEW🚨 Four-star LB Aaron Chiles has announced his top 10 schools⭐️
Penn State Headlines
Penn State recruits under consideration for future RPM picks: Snyder
For State College Native Keaton Ellis, It’s Time for One Final Run: Jones
Benedict Umeh ready for a busy spring and summer of visits: Simmons
Penn State set to host rising 2024 DL for visit later this month: Snyder
Penn State looks like NCAA team, completing 3-game sweep of Illinois at Big Ten tournament: Jones
Ibrahim Traore breaks fundraising record: Weir
New Penn State commit Kenny Woseley ‘pushing’ to recruit Philadelphia in 2024 class: McGonigal
Quote of the Day
“They go to booty ball, and it’s really, really hard to guard. When you can keep the possession of the ball for 12, 13 seconds, 10 seconds, and just keep backing up and you have no recourse in how you guard it because you can’t touch them, it becomes very challenging.”
– Illinois head coach Brad Underwood referring to Jalen Pickett’s ability to back down defenders
