Despite recent losses and a tough schedule, Penn State coach Mike Rhoades insists his Nittany Lions haven't quit, citing their daily dedication and coachability.
Penn State had a chance to win two games against programs near the bottom of the Big Ten this week.
Instead, PSU dropped an 83-72 contest to Oregon (with the second-worst record in the Big Ten) on Saturday before being soundly defeated 85-72 by a Rutgers team that has just four conference wins on Wednesday night.
With the loss to the Scarlet Knights, Penn State dropped to 11-16 overall and 2-14 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions now have the worst record in the conference before getting set to play a tough schedule to finish the regular season.
PSU will travel to play No. 9 Nebraska on Saturday before hosting a 19-7 Iowa team on Feb. 28. Penn State will then begin March by hosting (17-9) Ohio State on March 4.
The Nittany Lions will finish the season on the road against Rutgers on March 8.
During his postgame news conference, Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades was asked by a reporter if the loss against Rutgers was a "back breaker" for the team before playing a challenging schedule the rest of the way.
The obvious worry is that PSU's players could quit on the season.
Rhoades doesn't think his team has quit in them.
"No... And fair enough question, I look I'm not, I'm not blowing smoke. I mean, you know, I tell you straight up, our guys show up every day," Rhoades said. "They're never late. They don't talk back. They're coachable.
"They're in the weight room extra, they're on the court extra. They're taking care of their bodies this late in the game, and we're 2-14 in the league. They do it right. Like I commend them on that."
Rhoades said he understands that teams can quit in similar circumstances. He did add that his players are disappointed with how the season has gone.
"You know our guys are frustrated and disappointed," he said. "Yeah, absolutely, I'd be disappointed in them if they weren't."
Penn State showed fight on Wednesday by closing the gap in the second half, even if they didn't complete a comeback. The Nittany Lions trailed Rutgers 39-20 at halftime.
But, like the overall record is for the Nittany Lions' postseason hopes, it was too big of a hole to climb out of for Penn State.