Jerry Dunn knows it and so does Joe Crispin.

Come to think of it, so does everybody else.

After dropping their last two games to Northwestern and Michigan State last week, the term "bubble team" means a lot more to Penn State than it did a week ago.

A week ago, the Nittany Lions (16-9, 6-8) were receiving votes in the Associated Press.

In fact, some of the Pre-Tournament online gurus had Penn State as high as a No. 8 seed. But after two painful losses, Penn State's NCAA Tournament hopes might be just that — a hope or a meaningless prayer that might go unheard.

All season long, many in the media have said Penn State lives and dies by the three-point shot. After watching the Michigan State loss and listening to Northwestern beat Penn State, the facts speak for themselves.

The Lions have gotten solid production from Gyasi Cline-Heard this season. Cline-Heard is averaging double figures almost every time he touches the floor for Penn State and is also one of the most improved players in the Big Ten. He is knocking down key foul shots and has been strong for Penn State in the paint.

He has given Dunn and the rest of the Lions all they can ask for and more this season.

However, even Cline-Heard knows that if Penn State's perimeter shooters do not get on track and win tonight's game against Iowa, their record will be a disappointing 6-9 in conference, which will look pretty bad to the selection committee.

Penn State will also need to win Saturday's game against Ohio State and take a pair of games in the Big Ten Tournament. Otherwise, the NIT will be the one calling during Tournament time.

The Lions' biggest challenge in tonight's game might be themselves. Penn State shot a dismal 10-for-40 in the second half of Saturday's loss to Michigan State.

Plus, Iowa will be playing without Luke Recker, who has been out of the lineup since the beginning of February with an injury. This should play into the Lions' favor.

Since Recker's departure, Iowa's season has been on a downward spiral and has many thinking that they are not going to the NCAA Tournament.

While it is easy to say that Iowa has been without its top player and should therefore get the automatic bid over Penn State, it's even easier to say that the Lions are not worthy of it.

In those losses, Penn State has been unable to get to the foul line or had a hard time knocking down the key shots.

In November, the Big Ten officials said they'd crack down on the hard fouls. And they have — sometimes too much. This has been key for the Lions, who lead the Big Ten in free throw shooting. Now for them to be successful they have to get back to the basics.

In games they should have won they struggled and lost.

A pair of one-point losses to Northwestern on the road and Iowa at home are fateful to a team that will see its tournament hopes vanish on the plane ride home if it doesn't win tonight.

But tonight's game means everything to both teams.

For both teams it is a game of desperation. Both teams are in dire need for wins down the stretch and unfortunately, whoever loses tonight will damage the other's chances at the infamous at-large bid.

Both teams stand on the bubble. With a loss, one team's might be popped tonight.