As of today, the Penn State women's basketball team is where it usually is this time of year, ranked in the nation's top 25 and on its way to another winning season.

And, as of today, the Penn State men's basketball team is where it usually is this time of year, not ranked in the nation's top 25 and struggling for respect.

But as ordinary as all this may seem, things are actually a little skewed over in Rec Hall right now. Hoops in Happy Valley are, in fact, somewhat out of whack.

While the Lady Lions are still ranked (currently No. 10), they are there as much for their reputation as their record. Ravaged by injuries and bad luck that cost them one of their stars -- and limited the minutes of other key players -- Coach Rene Portland's pupils are likely to be in for a much tougher season than they ever could've expected.

At 12-3, the squad is still on pace to finish with a solid record, contend for the Big Ten title and once again venture into the NCAA tournament.

But three losses so early in the season can't sit well with Portland. The Lady Lions' first loss was a painfully close one to then-No. 1 Tennessee in December.

But they've since dropped two of five conference games -- one to Ohio State on Dec. 28, one to Minnesota on Jan. 6.

Last season, the Lady Lions dropped only two conference games all season en route to a share of the conference title.

Meanwhile . . . Coach Bruce Parkhill's Nittany Lions, although not ranked and not getting much attention, are 10-2. Granted, eight of those 10 wins came out of the conference, most against opponents who could easily be confused with Division III schools. But the Lions' two losses should be looked at more closely.

The Lions' first loss came to Texas Tech at the Bank One Fiesta Bowl Classic in Tucson, Ariz., over the winter break. That same Texas Tech team then took Arizona to the wire, on the Wildcats' home court, before barely losing.

And -- you heard it here first -- Texas Tech will go on to win the Southwest Conference and make an impression in the NCAA tournament.

So that ain't a bad loss for Penn State.

The Lions' other loss came on Jan. 4 in their first conference contest against Minnesota. At Minnesota. Against basically the same team that won the NIT tournament two years ago. By two points.

So that ain't a bad loss either.

And, of course, there are those 10 wins. Some came against Mount St. Mary's and Bucknell. Others came against Vanderbilt and Michigan.

But the fact is, they've come, and the Nittany Lions are arguably playing as well as anyone in the Big Ten. Tonight, when the Lions host Indiana, we'll see how good they might be.

So here we are, in the middle of January, and a pair of programs find themselves going in directions neither is quite used to. The Lady Lions have coaches and players who are good enough to overcome the loss of Katina Mack, and they'll be around come March.

But, surprisingly, so will the Nittany Lions. Probably. All us math majors here in the Collegian sports department have figured out that after their 8-1 non-conference start, the Lions need only go 9-9 in conference to go 17-10.

Behind that simple addition is a significance: a 17-10 team from the Big Ten is all but guaranteed a bid to the NCAA tournament.

And with teams like Indiana and Michigan flirting with .500 records, the Lions know that nine conference wins are attainable. So, maybe, are 10. Or 11 . . .

Well, let's not get greedy.