Resembling General Washington's tattered and war-worn Valley Forge troops in the Winter of 1777, a battered and injury-riddled Penn State men's basketball team is set to compete against the Nike Elite tonight at 7:30 in the Bryce Jordan Center, in the final exhibition contest of the 2003-2004 pre-season.

In a game that will never show up in any record column, Penn State's second pre-season mêlée will serve as a test and a stepping stone towards a Nov. 23 meeting with the Georgetown Hoyas.

With a beleaguered practice lineup consisting of only six scholarship players, two walk-ons and two coaches, it became difficult for Penn State men's basketball coach Ed DeChellis to run drills and prepare the troops for battle.

"We were very limited in practice," DeChellis said. "We were forced to work in half-court and had to use guys out of position, such as having Ndu [Egekeze] at the three spot."

Sophomore Aaron Johnson, with a detached retina which required surgery, was the season's first casualty and will be out until mid-December.

Next came freshman guard Ben Luber, who received a concussion during practice and did not participate in Penn State's first pre-season game. Luber was cleared for practice on Friday and may see some playing time.

Marlon Smith and Jan Jagla, the Lions' most impressive players in the first pre-season game, have both nursed separate injuries this week. Smith, will play tonight, but it is uncertain if Jagla will.

With unwavering intensity and yet an abundance of injuries, it's looking like a challenging and difficult winter for the Penn State men's basketball team.