Illinois, Purdue to test Lady Cagers

The Penn State women's basketball team faces two crucial hurdles in its path.

The Lady Lions face No. 8 Illinois at 7:30 tonight in Champaign, Ill. Penn State will then head back to State College for a 2 p.m. Sunday game against No. 24 Purdue.

With Penn State (10-4, 4-1 Big Ten), Illinois (12-4, 6-0) and Purdue (11-5, 4-2) all in the thick of the Big Ten race, the two games are critical for all three teams involved. However, in her weekly teleconference yesterday, Lion coach Rene Portland downplayed the significance of the games on the rest of her team's season.

"I'm not going to put any heat on these kids," Portland said. "I didn't do it early. They're a very, very close team and they'll continue to grow."

Tonight, Illinois will look to make that growing experience a tough one. With all of their starters back, the Fighting Illini carry a crucial element Penn State lacks -- experience.

A conference tri-champion last season and a preseason favorite to win the Big Ten this year, Illinois is led by senior guard/forward Ashley Berggren, a two-time All-Big Ten pick and a preseason Co-Big Ten Player of the Year selection. She leads Illinois with 17.8 points per game.

Portland said aggressiveness will be a key against Illinois.

"Attack is going to be very, very important for us," she said.

The Penn State coach seemed most concerned with traveling to Illinois. Last season, the Illini ripped the Lions 94-79 in Champaign. However, Portland said this year's team is older and faster than last year's.

"I watch the film and it's very, very different," Portland said. "I just think that this team is a better team than we took there last year."

Portland and the Lions won't have to worry about playing on the road Sunday as they get the opportunity to face Purdue at The Bryce Jordan Center.

The Boilermakers are a young squad with no seniors and only two juniors on their roster. With a first-year head coach in Carolyn Peck and a group of young assistant coaches, the team's youth even stretches to the coaching staff.

On the court, Purdue is led by its two juniors -- guards Ukari Figgs and Stephanie White. Both are among the conference scoring leaders and carry the experience of last season's Big Ten Tournament title and NCAA conference bid.

With their experienced backcourt, however, Portland said the Boilermakers' youth can be deceiving.

"Those two were just terrific last year," Portland said. "I do think the age of that backcourt makes things happen."

The rest of Purdue's starting lineup is made up of three sophomores who Peck said are playing inconsistently. The Boilermaker coach said they seem to play well at different times.

"We're going to have to play a well-balanced game both offensively and defensively and we're going to have to rebound," she said.

Notes:

-- Starting Penn State center Em Clements is out for tonight and is listed as probable for Sunday. Portland said she received a concussion as the result of an elbow to the eye in practice Wednesday. Junior Clara Carter will replace Clements in the lineup.