In Champaign last month, the Lions gave Illinois a run for its money. At Rec Hall, Coach Lou Henson is afraid Penn State may give them a bit more.

It was only January 21, still freshly vivid in Henson's mind, when the Lions took the heavily favored Illinois to the final seconds on its home court. John Amaechi outshined his highly touted counterpart Deon Thomas in a battle of centers and Rashaan Carlton came off the bench igniting a late surge, but clutch free-throw shooting by the Illini staved the attack and Illinois held on 66-62.

At Rec Hall, a place which Steve Fisher said he was very fortunate to leave with a victory on Wednesday, the situation could be very different.

"You know how tough it is for the average team to win on the road," Henson said. "We barely beat them at our gym. We had to play a super game to do it. We had to make 24 consectutive free throws to win that ball game."

Illinois (15-8, 8-3) does not necessarily fall into that average catergory though. Presently they are third in the Big Ten standings, trailing only Indiana and Michigan. But on Saturday, the Illini looked lackluster in losing to Pittsburgh and on Wednesday they were easily handled by Indiana.

Although they have been unable to knock off any teams in the upper echelon of the standings, the unproven Illini have had several shining moments. The biggest was perhaps Andy Kaufmann's buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Iowa earlier in the month.

Kaufmann and Thomas form the nucleus of the talented, yet erratic team. Thomas, averaging 18 points a game, is a strong center with a soft touch on the jumper.

After Amaechi lit him up for a career high 29 points and 14 rebounds in their first meeting, Thomas said he wasn't expecting that type of output from the big man.

"Maybe this time he won't say he underestimated me in the paper," Amaechi said.

Amaechi, who has emerged as a bona-fide league power, continued his strong play against Michigan with 18 points and 13 boards, his fifth conference double-double. Amaechi bumped bodies with Michigan's bruisers and did some fist-pumping of his own as he asserted himself in the paint.

DeRon Hayes, a non-factor once again versus Michigan, will also be the focus of a key match-up against Illinois, guarding against Kaufmann.

It has been a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs for both Kaufmann and Hayes, but both are capable of exploding when they find the hot-hand. Kaufmann, a senior who missed last season due to academic problems, has been a bit of an enigma, but still, he averages 16 points a game. Hayes (14 ppg.) has been a case of hot and cold.

After hosting teams like Indiana and Michigan on the home hardwood, the Lions gladly welcome a more even match-up with Illinois, especially at home. But Henson does not credit Rec Hall for the Lions strong play of late.

"I don't think it's the facility," Henson said. "I think it's just that they've got a good basketball team."