DeForrest Riley has not been himself of late.

The outstanding freshman has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees for the past few games, Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn said. Dunn knows exactly what Riley is going through as he suffered from tendinitis during his playing days.

Dunn said that he doesn't expect Riley to start tomorrow night against Michigan, and that he wasn't going to practice yesterday.

Dunn said that Riley was in twice yesterday for treatments on the knees, and that rest and stretching is the best thing for them.

There are different degrees of tendinitis but Dunn said that he expects that Riley will be able to overcome it.

Riley's knees have been bothering him since the Minnesota game and, prior to the Purdue game, Riley told Dunn that he wouldn't be able to play his usual 30 or more minutes.

Against the Boilermakers, Riley still played 35 minutes. Dunn said that he had no choice but to play him because he needed someone to help break the press.

Riley saw only 13 minutes of action in the double-overtime game against Northwestern.

He was not in his environment from the start on Saturday, and wasn't even wearing his No. 33 jersey. He wore No. 12 instead, as his regular jersey didn't make the trip.

"He couldn't defend," Dunn said. "He took a mid-range jump shot that hit the front of the rim and I pulled him right away."

In the last two games, Riley has scored only five points on 2-for-7 shooting, with three rebounds and four turnovers.

Dunn is unsure of who he will start in place of Riley, but he said that Ndu Egekeze and B.J. Vossekuil are the likely candidates. Against the Wildcats, Dunn used a three-guard lineup that featured Brandon Watkins, Sharif Chambliss and Brandon Cameron.

"I like the combination," Dunn said. "But if Watkins gets tired or in foul trouble, then who do I go with?"

Cameron has performed well with Riley struggling with his knees. Cameron scored a career-high nine points against Purdue, including the only field goal in the first 11 minutes of the game.

In the past two games he has logged 50 minutes.

He has been able to learn from Watkins for much of the season.

"Cameron has done a great job and is playing with a lot of confidence," Watkins said.

"He has stepped up and made some big shots and is playing good defense."

Even with Cameron stepping up, the Lions' offense will miss Riley.