Penn State Hosts North Carolina Central in Monday Nonconference Matinee

State College, Pennsylvania
News Desk | Sports

Penn State men’s basketball is set to host North Carolina Central on Monday afternoon as the Nittany Lions close out nonconference play at home, according to the program. The matchup is scheduled at the Bryce Jordan Center and will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network, offering Penn State an opportunity to build momentum before conference competition resumes.

The game pairs the Penn State Nittany Lions against the North Carolina Central Eagles, with tipoff slated for a daytime window as part of the Big Ten Network’s weekday schedule. Penn State enters the contest looking to cap its nonconference slate with a home win, while North Carolina Central continues a road-heavy stretch against major conference opponents.

According to Penn State officials, the matchup serves as the final tune-up before the team shifts its full focus back to Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions have emphasized depth and defensive efficiency throughout December, using nonconference games to evaluate rotations and manage minutes ahead of the conference grind.

North Carolina Central arrives after competing in a series of guarantee games away from home, a common late-December schedule for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference programs. The Eagles are expected to rely on disciplined half-court offense and perimeter shooting as they face a Big Ten opponent on the road.

The game will air live on the Big Ten Network, with streaming options available through the network’s digital platforms. Fans attending in person were advised by the university to check arena entry times and campus parking availability ahead of the afternoon start.

Penn State is scheduled to return to conference action later in the week, making Monday’s contest a final opportunity to address adjustments before Big Ten play intensifies. The story is developing.