How To Watch Penn State Nittany Lions Men’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, who has more than 10 years of experience covering sports.
A look at the 2025–2026 Nittany Lions
The Mike Rhoades era in Happy Valley enters a defining third chapter, and frankly, the “rebuild” excuse has expired. After a transitional year where the team struggled to find its footing against the Big Ten’s heavy hitters, the narrative has shifted to pure potential. The arrival of Kayden Mingo, the highest-ranked recruit in program history, has injected a level of optimism I haven’t seen in State College in years. Fans are buzzing about whether a true freshman point guard can handle the physicality of this conference, but if Mingo is as advertised, the ceiling for this squad just got a lot higher.
I share the anxiety many fans feel regarding the frontcourt, though. The small-ball approach was punished last season, and while the backcourt looks electric, the defense in the paint remains the biggest question mark. It’s a classic “prove it” season: can the new recruits and returning core players like Freddie Dilione V push this team back into NIT or bubble contention? If you want to see if the Mingo Era lives up to the hype, you’ll need to know exactly where to tune in.
2025–2026 Penn State men’s basketball TV schedule
The Big Ten schedule is a beast. You’ll want to circle the calendar for the rivalry clashes against Ohio State and Michigan, which are always heated regardless of the records.
Conference play kicks into high gear in January, and since the Big Ten spans coast-to-coast now, tip-off times can vary wildly. Most Penn State weeknight games will land in that 7:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. ET window.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Stags | Monday, Nov. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At New Haven Chargers | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 1:00 p.m. | — |
| Navy Midshipmen | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At La Salle Explorers | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Harvard Crimson | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 6:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Providence Friars | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 4:00 p.m. | truTV |
| Boston University Terriers | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Sacred Heart Pioneers | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Campbell Fighting Camels | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Indiana Hoosiers | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 8:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Michigan State Spartans | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Pittsburgh Panthers | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| North Carolina Central Eagles | Monday, Dec. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Michigan Wolverines | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Purdue Boilermakers | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| UCLA Bruins | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Maryland Terrapins | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Wisconsin Badgers | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Ohio State Buckeyes | Monday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Northwestern Wildcats | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Michigan Wolverines | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| USC Trojans | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Washington Huskies | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 10:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Oregon Ducks | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 3:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Wednesday, March 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Sunday, March 8 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for Penn State men’s basketball
Because Penn State resides in the Big Ten, your viewing habits are dictated by the conference’s massive media rights deal. You need a service that carries the Big Ten Network (BTN), and FS1. For my money, Hulu + Live TV is the best overall option. It carries all those essential linear channels. It’s the most seamless way to catch the majority of the Nittany Lions’ slate without swapping apps constantly.
Beyond a live TV service, you need a subscription to Peacock Premium. NBCUniversal has exclusive rights to a significant chunk of Big Ten games—usually around 15 or more per season—specifically those early conference tournament games. If you don’t have Peacock, you will miss live game action.
How to watch Penn State men’s basketball FAQ
How can I watch Penn State basketball for free?
You'll need to utilize free trials from live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, or YouTube TV.
How can I stream Penn State without cable?
I recommend Hulu + Live TV because it includes BTN and FS1 in its base lineup, giving you the most complete coverage without a cable contract.
Can I watch Penn State basketball on Peacock?
Yes, and you'll need it. Peacock holds exclusive streaming rights to many Big Ten Tuesday night games and early rounds of the conference tournament, making it mandatory for die-hard fans.
How can I watch Penn State in March Madness?
The men's NCAA Tournament is broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, so you'll need a live TV provider that carries the Turner networks to see every round.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Penn State men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
