Currently, a mere two-game difference exists between fourth and eighth place in the conference standings. This weekend Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa will all be vying for two first-round byes in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis next weekend.

And down the stretch they come

With its 88-56 victory over Minnesota last Sunday, Penn State guaranteed either a second or third seed when Big Ten Tournament play starts. However, mystery still remains for most of the Big Ten teams as to when and whom they will be playing come Feb. 26.

In the driver's seat: Illinois (9-5 Big Ten) and Ohio State (8-6).

These two teams control their own destinies heading into this weekend's action. The Fighting Illini travel to Wisconsin tomorrow before returning home Sunday to Assembly Hall for Senior Day festivities when they battle Iowa. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, journey to East Lansing, Mich., tonight to face off against Michigan State before hosting the Lady Lions on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Should the Illini and Buckeyes finished tied after the conference slate is completed, the Buckeyes would hold the tiebreaker advantage, even though the two teams split their regular season contests against each other.

According to the Big Ten's tiebreaker system, the second determinant is a team's record against the top teams in the conference. Since no team has beaten Purdue, the next team to measure up against is Penn State, which both teams have a 1-0 record against. Should Ohio State beat Penn State this weekend it will win the tiebreaker -- should it lose, it goes to Illinois.

Lord, help us: Michigan State (8-7), Michigan (7-7), Wisconsin (7-7) and Iowa (6-8).

All four teams are battling for the fifth seed in the tournament, which will grant the winner a first-round bye. With the difference in the competing team's records so close the Big Ten may want to resort to a four-corners tag-team wrestling match to decide the team that won't have to play next Friday.

Commander Katie

"We let Douglas go left, and that is the only arm she has on her body," said Penn State coach Rene Portland following the Lions' 76-74 overtime loss to Purdue last Friday.

Purdue guard Katie Douglas played the role of Lion killer twice at The Bryce Jordan Center in that game -- once in regulation and once in overtime. Scoring a game-high 21 points, Douglas hit last-second shots against Penn State that sent the game into overtime and eventually won the game in the extra stanza.

The sophomore guard chipped in 17 more points in the Boilermakers' 88-58 victory against Ohio State Sunday earning her the distinction of Big Ten Player of the Week.

Not bad for a player with only one arm, as Portland suggested.