The excitement is growing in University Park, PA. The Penn State Nittany Lions men’s basketball team will play their last non-conference game tonight, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. They will face the Campbell Fighting Camels at 6 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game will be shown on the Big Ten Network. This “tune-up” game is important because Penn State wants to stay strong before starting Big Ten play in December.
Recent Form & High Stakes for Penn State
Penn State, led by third-year head coach Mike Rhoades, has started the 2025–26 season very well with a 7–1 record. The team has been scoring a lot of points. They won 90–59 against Sacred Heart and 96–87 against Boston University. These wins give the team confidence as they get ready for the tough games in the Big Ten.
A win tonight also has special meaning. If Penn State beats Campbell, they will start the season 8–1 for the second year in a row. It would also be their 15th straight non-conference home win at the Bryce Jordan Center. Coach Rhoades would move to a 19–1 home record in non-conference games. These streaks show how strong the team is at home in State College, PA.
Nittany Lions: Players to Watch in the Paint
Penn State’s success comes from a balanced and high-scoring offense. Three players are averaging double figures and are very important to the team.
Freshman Kayden Mingo
Mingo leads the team with 14.3 points per game. He has scored in double figures in seven of eight games. He is one of only four freshmen in Division I basketball who has two teammates also averaging 13+ points. This shows how strong the team’s offense is.
Freshman Melih Tunca
Tunca is close behind with 13.9 points per game. He is shooting very well, with a 56.7% field goal percentage and a 47.4% three-point percentage. His shooting makes him a big threat that Campbell must guard carefully.
Redshirt Junior Freddie Dilione V
Dilione averages 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He takes good care of the ball, with only seven turnovers in 202 minutes. His best game was 22 points and nine rebounds against Providence on November 22. He is a calm and reliable player.
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About the Opponent: Campbell Fighting Camels
The Campbell Fighting Camels come into the game with a 3–4 record. They are looking for their first road win because they are 0–4 away from home. Their wins this season were against UT Arlington (71–67), Mid-Atlantic Christian (108–55), and Western Michigan (91–82).
Campbell has four players who score more than 10 points per game:
- D.J. Smith (19.6 ppg)
- Dovydas Butka (14.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg)
- Chris Fields Jr. (12.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
- Jeremiah Williamson-Johnson (11.1 ppg)
This makes their offense balanced and dangerous.
Campbell’s new head coach, John Andrezejek, is in his first year. He was an assistant coach for the Florida Gators when they won a national championship. His experience gives Campbell a smart and unpredictable game plan, even though they are still trying to improve on the road.
Historical Context: A Rare NCAA Matchup
Tonight’s game is only the second time these two teams have played each other. The first meeting was almost eight years ago on November 10, 2017. Penn State won that game 86–75 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Because they do not play often, this matchup feels special. Penn State will try to stay undefeated against Campbell and continue their strong non-conference home streak.
The stage is set for an exciting night at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA. With Big Ten games coming soon, Penn State hopes to play strong and clean basketball to prove they are ready to face some of the best teams in the country.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.