There is a nasty adage maintaining that history has an unnatural way of repeating itself. On the other hand, some people say that the third time is the charm.

The men's basketball team tests both theorems at 8 tonight as it takes on Atlantic 10 foe Rutgers in a third-round (quarterfinal) NIT matchup at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. The Lions (23-8) beat Maryland on Monday night, 80-78, to advance while Rutgers downed Fordham, 81-74.

Although the Lions split their two games with the Scarlet Knights (18-16) this season, the Louis Brown Athletic Center has always been a source of heartbreak to Penn State basketball. Especially over the past two seasons.

"I'm not really sure what to expect," Coach Bruce Parkhill said. "Their students are on break, but I'm sure they are still going to have a nice crowd. But I really don't know what kind of atmosphere to expect except that usually when you play at Rutgers it's loud no matter if it's a championship game or not."

The arena was the site of the Lions' 70-66 A-10 Championship loss last season. Rutgers traveled to the NCAA Tournament while Penn State went to the NIT. End of Louis Brown round one. Rutgers was then eliminated by Iowa, 87-73, in the NCAAs while the Lions lost to Villanova, 76-67 in their second-round NIT game.

"Last year was pretty much a heartbreaker," forward Dave Degitz said. "I know we have a lot of confidence right now, and we'd like to do well down there. It's a tough place to play. The fans really go crazy. There's a big rivalry and we're really looking forward to that."

Round two at that arena came on Jan. 21. Although Rutgers' leading scorer, Tom Savage, was suspended just before the game for academic reasons and center Anthony Duckett was out of action with a sprained ankle, Rutgers kept the game close with deadeye 3-point shots. With two seconds left Ed Fogell launched a half-court prayer that would have sent the game to overtime.

The ball whiffed the side of the rim instead of swishing through the net. 61-59, Rutgers. Ding, ding.

Now round three of the Louis Brown saga begins.

All season long the Lions have had trouble winning on the road, finishing the regular season 5-7 on unfriendly courts. Granted, they improved their road game dramatically towards the end of the season, but a team never knows when old problems may creep back up on it.

Games at home were another story. The Lions did beat the Scarlet Knights once during this time period, 80-69, on Feb. 15 at Rec Hall. During the contest the Lions outrebounded Rutgers, 42-23.

Contributing to that victory was forward James Barnes. He has been a relatively consistent scorer and rebounder all year, but will probably not play tonight because of the broken toe he suffered during Sunday's practice.

"Jimmy Barnes is one of our best players," Parkhill said. "He has proven that over the entire year. You don't lose a guy like that and remain the same."

Doctors feel that Barnes could play, provided he could stand the pain. Playing would require the installation of a metal plate in his shoe that would immobilize his toe. Parkhill thinks the decision to play is up to Barnes himself, and if he wants he will get a shot.

Medically, playing would not do any further harm to the toe. Athletically, Barnes remains a question mark. Degitz and C.J. Johnson ably filled his position Monday night and should ostensibly be able to do the same tonight.

"Those two really rose to the occasion," Parkhill said. "I think that happens. I remember saying before we played Rutgers down there, when they lost Savage, that a team can rally around something like this. Rutgers did that game, and we did (Monday) night. Now the key is how long can a team maintain that."

Aside from Barnes being out of action, another problem possibly facing the Lions is anticipation. Only one game beyond tonight's is the Final Four of a major national tournament.

"The guys know Rutgers is a tough team and it's going to be a war," Parkhill said. "I think they know they're going to have to play very, very well."