Lady cagers' ship still afloat in Big Ten waters

Rene Portland hasn't given up the ship. Sure there may be some holes in the stern, but she's not ready to abandon it yet.

The Penn State women's basketball team (11-9, 4-6 Big Ten) has ridden across rough waters, especially in the Big Ten. But with five of its last six games at home, Portland still feels her team can sail away with a berth in the NCAA tournament.

"It's what the doctor ordered," Portland said. "I'd rather be at home than on the road."

The doctor's prescription for the Lady Lions -- beat Michigan at 7:30 tonight and Indiana at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bryce Jordan Center and feel better in the morning.

After losing a bruising battle at No. 18 Illinois, Penn State will face another physical squad in the Wolverines (12-7, 4-6 Big Ten). Michigan boasts one of top rebounders in the country in center Pollyanna Johns. She is third in the Big Ten with 10.6 boards and 14.7 points per game.

"Michigan is a good team. They fit in the same mold as Indiana and Purdue," Portland said. "Pollyanna Johns is a great post player."

The Wolverines know the Lady Lions can score. But their most pressing problem is trying to control senior forward Angie Potthoff, who is averaging 19.1 points per game.

"They have a lot of weapons," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Angie is one of the best players in the Big Ten, hands down."

The battle in the post between Potthoff and Johns should be the most important, but play from the Penn State guards, who haven't been playing well, also will be essential.

"We have to do a better job of playing guard defense," sophomore guard Shauntai Hall said.

Guevara also is aware of the Lady Lion backcourt and its potential.

"They have experience in the backcourt," she said. "I think Helen Darling isn't a freshman right now. She's a sophomore.

Indiana (12-9, 5-6) also is looking to ride a strong wave into the postseason. The Hoosiers boast 47 percent 3-point shooting Bridget Porter. The team averages 5.1 treys per game, good for second in the conference.

"We're expecting a lot of 3s, just like Northwestern," Portland said. "(Indiana) has excellent 3-point shooters."

Penn State will try to counter with its duo of Potthoff and freshman forward Andrea Garner. Both players will don face guards after recovering from broken noses last week. But they will try to dominate and intimidate in the post, especially with their new faces of fear.

But two weeks later the intimidation could be shifted against Penn State. With conference powerhouses Iowa, No. 23 Michigan State and No. 22 Wisconsin next on their schedule, the Lady Lions must gain steam before taking on this tough trio.

But if worse comes to worse, Portland has another route to map, and it leads to the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

"We got to go for the best of what's left," Portland said. "I still think it's going to happen. We still have the tournament to hold on to."