There are two things to know about Penn State basketball, which comes to Piscataway for Rutgers’ Big Ten home opener Sunday:

1. The Nittany Lions sport what many regard as the best group of freshmen in program history.

2. Head coach Pat Chambers put this team through a nonconference gauntlet that included Duke, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and St. John’s.

“I know a lot of people think I’m a little bit crazy to challenge this young team as early and often as I have,” Chambers said recently. “I think it’s only going to make us a better team in the end.”

There are different schools of thought on that. Rutgers did just the opposite as Steve Pikiell pressed the reset button. Pikiell, who inherited a good chunk of his slate, thought it served everyone well.

“For first time out, teaching a team that hadn’t won a lot how to win, through the different challenges each game posed ... I was figuring the team out, and they were learning a new style of play. I think it was really good,” Pikiell said Friday. “It prepared us.”

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It’s an interesting undercurrent when Rutgers (11-3) and Penn State (8-6) tip at 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU). There is no such thing as a must-win for Rutgers this season, but to reach .500 overall for the first time since 2006 -- a feat that would cement Pikiell’s debut as a smashing success -- bagging one here is important.

“We have to play 40 minutes,” Pikiell said. “We’ve strung together some good halves. I liked us in the second half versus Wisconsin. I liked us in the first half against Seton Hall. We’re playing teams where you have to play well in both halves.”

Here are three keys for the Scarlet Knights:

1. Be aggressive

As Pikiell noted, Penn State takes a shot every 14.8 seconds. That’s rapid-fire. But with Corey Sanders recovered from a sprained ankle, Rutgers’ guards have the speed and mentality to match up well here.

For a poor-shooting team, a full-court game should be a blessing.

“We want to run no matter who we play,” Pikiell said.

2. Get Issa Thiam involved

The freshman is 6-foot-9 and can hit a 3-pointer. Feeling better after a flu-like illness, he could be the key to jump-starting Rutgers’ offense.

“Freshmen go through a real learning curve,” Pikiell said. “He’s had some good practices; he’s gotten through that flu. I expect him to start playing a little better. I think he does, too.”

3. Show a little mean streak

We’re not talking about playing dirty, but Rutgers has to defend its home court with an edge. Penn State is not trotting out a bunch of grizzled vets; a little attitude, coupled with a good crowd, could make the difference.

On Wednesday, Pikiell was asked why he’s been starting freshman wing Eugene Omoruyi. His response was telling.

“He has toughness, Big Ten toughness,” the coach said. “We need an upgrade in that area tremendously.”

Staff Writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.