Michael Jennings admittedly doesn't know what to expect tomorrow night.

With the threat of a men's basketball boycott by the Black Coaches' Assocation looming, the Lions' 8 p.m. Big Ten clash with Minnesota in Rec Hall remains in jeopardy. And Jennings, Penn State's shooting guard, plans to follow the BCA's lead.

"The players should stay with it," Jennings said. "It's going to hurt some players. It's going to hurt for me."

The boycott, proposed by the BCA in reaction to an NCAA vote against restoration of a 14th scholarship, may take effect tomorrow --on the birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"I think the situation has the potential to cause some problems," center John Amaechi said.

Coach Bruce Parkhill said in a news conference yesterday that talk of a boycott is "speculation. I don't know in fact that there will be a boycott."

However, Minnesota Coach Clem Haskins, a member of the BCA, said after the No. 18 Gophers' 90-53 shellacking of No. 12 Wisconsin Wednesday night that a boycott was imminent: "You can bet on that."

Without a boycott, Penn State (7-4, 0-2 Big Ten) will have its hands full. The Lions will face a Minnesota arsenal that includes one of the nation's top guard tandems.

Point man Arriel McDonald scored 12 points and dished out 16 assists Wednesday night, and shooting guard Voshon Lenard poured in 23 on 8-for-12 shooting.

"McDonald is one of the best point guards in the country, in my opinion," Parkhill said. "Voshon Lenard is a prototype big-time two guard."

Beefy forward Randy Carter, averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, provides muscle for the Gophers inside -- and should keep Lion power forwards Phil Williams and Matt Gaudio busy.

The Gophers (11-3, 2-0 Big Ten) thumped Penn State in both meetings last year, 95-67 in Williams Arena and 67-41 at Rec Hall.

"I thought they were one of the best teams we played last year," Parkhill said. "If they stay healthy, they could take a run at the Final Four."

Notes:

-- Approximately 475 tickets are still available for tomorrow's game.

-- Point guard Donovan Williams is nursing a foot injury, and is day-to-day, Parkhill said.

The Minnesota Daily contributed to this article.