FACTS & STATS: Site: Bryce Jordan Center (15,261) -- State College, Pennsylvania. Television: Local. Home Record: Indiana 17-2, Penn State 12-4. Away Record: Indiana 7-2, Penn State 2-8. Neutral Record: Indiana 1-1, Penn State 0-3. Conference Record: Indiana 14-3, Penn State 6-11. Series Record: Indiana leads, 27-3.

GAME NOTES: The 18th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers will do battle with the Penn State Nittany Lions today in the regular-season finale for both teams. Indiana has clinched an opening-round bye and will be either the second or third seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers are 25-5 overall and beat Minnesota by a 69-55 final on Wednesday night. Despite that victory, Indiana is officially out of contention for the Big Ten regular-season title, as the Wisconsin Badgers claimed that honor on Saturday. As for Penn State, it can end the regular slate at .500, as the club currently owns a 14-15 overall record. The Nittany Lions, who are 6-11 in conference, were crushed by Wisconsin on Wednesday, 77-41, on the road. Still, three of the last six outings for the Lions have resulted in wins, as they have played fairly well down the stretch. Indiana owns a commanding 27-3 advantage in the all-time series with Penn State, including an 81-65 decision over the Nittany Lions back in January.

Indiana has enough talent in its starting lineup to compete for the national title. Freshman guard Eric Gordon continues to lead the team in scoring with his 21.3 ppg, and he has the ability to take over a game at the offensive end regardless of the competition. As for D.J. White, the team's standout frontcourt performer, he is posting 17.0 ppg on 60.6 percent shooting from the field. White, who has blocked 49 shots, is pulling down 10.2 rpg as well. Armon Bassett adds 11.4 ppg to the mix, and Jordan Crawford nets 10.3 ppg. Indiana is generating 76.1 ppg this season while allowing 64.8 ppg to the opposition. The Hoosiers are outrebounding their opponents by 7.3 rpg, and the club pulled down four more boards than Minnesota on Wednesday. Gordon tallied 20 points for IU, which got 17 points from White. Jamarcus Ellis pitched in with 10 points and 13 rebounds, as the Hoosiers held the Gophers to 38.8 percent shooting from the field.

Everyone expected Penn State to completely fall apart after its best player, Geary Claxton, was lost for the season with an injury back in January. While the Nittany Lions did not respond well initially, they have certainly stabilized and have played decent basketball of late. Jamelle Cornley leads the active players with 12.1 ppg and 6.0 rpg, and Talor Battle checks in with 10.0 ppg. Unfortunately, Penn State was simply outclassed by Wisconsin on Wednesday. Battle had 10 points, but his 4-of-13 shooting effort was far from impressive. Cornley missed the Wisconsin game, but he is expected back today and will certainly be welcomed by his teammates.

Penn State will play hard at home, but a victory over Indiana is unlikely. Expect a balanced effort from the Hoosiers, as White and Gordon do not have to carry the load alone.

Predicted Outcome

Indiana 80, Penn State 70