One would think that things are looking quite positive for the Penn State men's basketball team.

Modest as it may be, the Nittany Lions (7-16, 3-9) have won two of their last three, and that is something that happened only once previously this season, when they beat Bucknell and Coppin State consecutively in late December.

Add that to the fact that Penn State is a respectable .500 team at home and the perennial Big Ten doormat Northwestern Wildcats are coming to town for a 4 p.m. game tomorrow at The Bryce Jordan Center. Could it be the recipe for putting together a little run for a Lions team that is as confident as it's been all season?

"I just take pride in our team right now," point guard Brandon Watkins said. "We're playing hard. I'm just happy with getting some wins for the most part."

But these Wildcats aren't your usual perennial doormat Northwestern team. They are 14-9 overall, 5-6 in the conference and have won four of their last six and six of nine. After starting out 0-3 in the Big Ten, head coach Bill Carmody has his team on the cusp of a possible NCAA Tournament appearance with some strong play down the stretch.

"This year, other than (a 73-44 loss to Wisconsin last Saturday) we were in every game," Carmody said. "That's what I've been real happy about, that I understand that these guys know how to win."

In many ways, the Wildcats and Lions are very similar. Both teams have only two seniors (none of which are in the top two of scoring for either team). Northwestern and Penn State rank 10th and 11th in both scoring offense and rebounding in conference play. Neither team has a player averaging more than 14.5 points per game and both teams site hustle and effort as points of pride.

"I was very pleased with (our effort)," Penn State head coach Jerry Dunn said after the Lions' 71-65 win over Iowa Wednesday. "For these guys to play like this at this time of year after not having the success obviously that we would like I think speaks very highly of them."

Carmody has been pleased with his team's effort as well. But while the Lions may have matched the Wildcats in terms of determination to this point of the season, Northwestern has been far more consistent in terms of execution and quality of play consistently.

"I think it's really important," Carmody said. "I know that we have a hard time scoring sometimes so there is not a lot of room for error, so we need to maximize all our possessions. I've generally been extremely happy with the consistency of play."

Carmody said he preaches to his team the value of hard work, and making consistent inspired play so commonplace during practices and games, it becomes a habit.

"I just try to tell all the guys it's a long season, a five-month season," he said "Individually and collectively as a team we'll have ups and downs and you have to have some consistency in your play, but you'll always going to fall back on your habits."

For Penn State to continue its recent habit of winning some games, it will have to do two things: Stop Wildcat guard Jitim Young and win the battle of rebounding.

Young has averaged 12.9 points per game, and the sophomore has come on as of late as more of a scoring threat after struggling over a four-game period last month.

"He actually wasn't getting that many shots off and he was hesitating about some things," Carmody said. "Sometimes you just have to put your head down and go. And usually when people are aggressive, things work out for them. In his case I think it's especially true."

Rebounding is an area the Lions have improved markedly in during the past three games. Part of that can be attributed to the elevation of forwards B.J. Vossekuil and Ndu Egekeze to close to 100 percent after battling injuries.

"Definitely, I think Ndu is definitely coming back strong," Watkins said. "B.J. is definitely coming on strong, too. He gave us a great lift off the bench (Wednesday) and did a lot of things that don't really show up in the box score."