The second time around

Cagers look to avenge earlier loss to Wolverines

The difference is this game is at home.

At 8 p.m. tonight at The Bryce Jordan Center the Lions (14-10, 7-7 Big Ten) will try to avoid the same first-half rut when they take on the Wolverines in a Big Ten clash and try to add to their win total at home.

"I expect (Michigan) to play with the same amount of intensity (as they did against Indiana)," Penn State coach Jerry Dunn said. "We have got to handle things differently than we did out there in the first Big Ten game of the season. We've got to be a little more productive offensively and do a better job on the defensive end."

Four of Michigan's five conference losses have come away from Crisler Arena. The way Penn State is playing at home this season, that could spell disaster for the Wolverines. The Lions are 6-1 this at home this season in conference play and 11-1 overall.

Tonight's contest will be the final home appearance for two Penn State seniors -- and one is not Dan Earl.

Pete Lisicky and Zach Walker will make one last run onto the center's floor as Penn State recognizes its seniors.

Michigan might be without its second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer. Senior forward Maceo Baston, who pulled down eight rebounds and scored 17 points the first time these two teams met, is listed as "day-to-day," Ellerbe said.

Baston suffered a chipped bone in his right foot on Feb. 7 in a game against Minnesota and has not played since.

Wolverine center Rober Traylor was a force in the paint and gave the Lions fits during their first meeting. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound junior registered game-highs with 27 points and 10 rebounds against Penn State.

That may be the saving grace for the Lions -- "our place."