Why is Penn State basketball playing a road game at small-school New Haven?

Why Penn State Basketball Is Playing at New Haven

Mike Rhoades’ team will face the New Haven Chargers on Saturday at 1 p.m. It’s unusual for a Big Ten squad to travel to a small Northeast Conference school, yet that’s exactly what Penn State is doing.

The Nittany Lions are heading to West Haven, Connecticut, where New Haven’s Hazell Center holds only about 1,000 fans—far smaller than Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center with its 15,000-plus capacity.

Why the Unusual Matchup?

When asked why his team agreed to such a game, Coach Rhoades explained that New Haven agreed to play several future nonconference games at Penn State in return.

“Some people told me I’m crazy to do it. You gotta put yourself out there. Ted (Hotaling) runs a great program up there. They’ve made the move to Division I and were seeking home games with a return commitment,” said Rhoades.

Smart Scheduling and Cost Efficiency

For Rhoades, the scheduling choice is practical. Penn State can secure multiple nonconference matchups for the cost of one, saving money while strengthening relationships with growing programs.

“I’m not just a coach; I oversee the program, and that includes the budget,” Rhoades said. “If there are opportunities in scheduling to save or make money and create chances for our players and program, we have to consider them.”

Takeaway

This arrangement illustrates how strategic scheduling can benefit both powerhouse and developing programs, balancing competitive opportunities with financial responsibility.

Author’s Summary: Penn State’s road game at New Haven highlights Coach Rhoades’ creative scheduling approach to save money and strengthen future nonconference ties.

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PennLive.com PennLive.com — 2025-11-08

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