Ace Baldwin Jr. Leads Penn State Past Maryland in Big Ten Home Finale

Penn State men's basketball coach Mike Rhoades hasn't made a brilliant move in bringing Ace Baldwin Jr. with him from VCU to State College. Rhoades would benefit significantly from having Baldwin back for Year 2.

The point guard played an exceptional game Sunday night against Maryland, stacking his usual defensive prowess on top of a 17-point, 11-assist effort in the Nittany Lions 85-69 win at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State celebrated Senior Day as the Big Ten closed its regular season, and Rhoades shared a pre-game embrace with Baldwin. But the guard has one more year of eligibility and could return for the 2024-25 season. What a marvelous foundation he would provide for Rhoades program build.

But this season isn't over just yet, which is why Baldwin wasn't ready to discuss his future yet Sunday night. Penn State (15-16) is the 11th seed for the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, which means a first-round game Wednesday. The Nittany Lions play 14th-seeded Michigan, which they beat at the Palestra in January. If they win, the Lions would face sixth-seeded Indiana on Thursday. Penn State swept Indiana during the regular season for the first time since 2009.

Penn State finished the conference season at 9-11, marking just the eighth time the team has won nine Big Ten regular-season games. That's an important yardstick for Rhoades, who largely populated his roster from the transfer portal. Baldwin proved to be the big get.

A candidate for Big Ten defensive player of the year, Baldwin played 38 minutes, getting a late and deserved curtain call from the home crowd. Baldwin directed Penn State's offense with authority while playing another firm defensive game. He helped frustrate Maryland's leading scorer Jahmir Young, who had 16 points but went 4-for-14 from the field (0-for-5 from 3-point range). 

Five Nittany Lions scored in double-figures, with Qudus Wahab playing his best game of the season. Wahab scored 19 points (on 7-for-10 shooting) and grabbed 15 rebounds, both season-highs. RayQuawndis Mitchell scored 14, and Puff Johnson had 13.

Penn State won its seventh straight home game against Maryland.

Up next

Penn State, seeded 11th, meets 14th-seeded Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Tuesday on Big Ten Network.