A four-letter acronym has become the $64,000 question for the men's basketball team.

NCAA.

With one game remaining, the Lions stand at 20-7. They have won four straight and eight of their last nine games, but strength of schedule could dampen the hopes of a repeat performance in the Big Dance.

The latest Jeff Sagarin computer poll ranked Penn State No. 72. The Lions are 1-4 against teams ranked higher than them (the lone win being the season opener against No. 53 Illinois with losses to No. 7 Ohio State, No. 44 Georgia, No. 54 Temple and No. 65 James Madison).

The strength of the Lions' schedule was questioned from the beginning of the season. But with unknown teams and numerous injuries, the schedule played much differently than most expected.

"I think everybody assumed we'd just breeze right through the schedule this year," Coach Bruce Parkhill said. "Given the circumstances, with the number of injuries we had and never having Michael Jennings, and playing on the road so much . . . I'm as proud of this team as any other team I've ever coached."

The Lions' chances of going hinge on a few factors. Obviously they first must win Monday night against American. Then they will wait almost two weeks before the bids are announced on March 15.

Their success in last year's tournament could play a part in gaining an at-large bid. Penn State will also need to watch the conference tournaments. The team can't afford any cinderella teams making their way through the post season.

Then there's the ultimate independent team that can throw a wrench in Penn State's plans. Notre Dame is ranked No. 63, but it lost Tuesday night to Dayton and now is 11-12.

Having a winning record may put Notre Dame into the field of 64. They have the toughest schedule in the nation and they defeated marquee teams like North Carolina, Syracuse and UCLA. Another reason simply put is Notre Dame is Notre Dame.

"A lot that has to do with the NCAA tournament has to do with the media," Freddie Barnes said. "(West Virginia Coach) Gale Catlett said how the media jumped on the Notre Dame bandwagon. They're talking about strength of schedule but you also have to look at who they lost to.

"You just can't say they play a hard schedule and they're 15-15, but they lose to teams that are not as good as some of the teams they've beaten. I think you should take that into account."

Many opponent head coaches this season said they feel the Lions deserve a bid. The latest one came after Monday's win over Old Dominion. Monarch Coach Oliver Purnell said he hopes Penn State makes the field and thinks it deserves to play in the tournament.

Both Parkhill and the players said there is nothing they can do except go out and play. Parkhill said he can't lobby for a bid and doesn't what the committee will look at come selection time.

"All we can do is win," forward Matt Gaudio said. "If we win Monday we're 21-7 and our name will be on the table."

If its name does not appear on the big board, Penn State will probably find its way into the three letter tounament -- the NIT.