What is a must-win game for a team that hasn't been used to winning in three years?

Tonight, at the Bryce Jordan Center, the Penn State men's basketball team is about to find out.

It's not that there isn't enough parity in the Big Ten that the Nittany Lions couldn't lose their fourth straight and find themselves out of the race at 2-4. They'd still be right in the middle of the pack. So far, at 0-5, Minnesota is the only conference contender that doesn't appear to have a legitimate shot at making a move toward the top.

But the three-game losing skid that the Lions are trying to end is what makes tonight's game a make-or-break situation. With a win, a synchronized sigh of relief might be heard from the crowd in attendance. With a loss, though, confidence could be lost and the season could become eerily similar to last season in a hurry.

"This game is going to be one of the biggest games even though it's not against one of the big-name teams in the Big Ten," freshman guard Marlon Smith said. "Because, first of all, it's going to be televised on national TV, and that displays our skills as a team and as individuals to the whole country. And it might set the tone to put a little confidence in the players as well."

The confidence that seemed to exude from every player on the team just weeks ago is now missing.

Two thrashings on the road will do that. But it was apparent that the losses took its toll in Saturday's home match against Michigan when the Lions failed to muster any momentum in front of the largest home crowd of the season.

"If I was a fan, I'd be mad as heck," sophomore Aaron Johnson said at practice on Monday, "because we didn't bring it like we usually do, and it's not going to happen [today]. You will see me everywhere. You will see me in the Gatorade jugs. You're going to see me all over the floor. I am going to be a psychopath, and we're going to win this game."

But Johnson's spirit must find its way into the hearts of every member of the Lions. In Saturday's contest, his perpetual emotion wasn't enough to beat Michigan and his passion alone won't be enough to down Northwestern.

The Wildcats come into the game with a 2-3 record in conference, but one of those wins was against Illinois who had their way with the Lions last week in an 80-37 thumping.

"Northwestern beat Illinois, whether it was at their place or wherever," senior Ndu Egekeze said. "So it's hard to say what their caliber is. The Big Ten is a tough schedule. It is wide open though. That's why every game is so important for us. We have to take advantage of these games to get to where we're trying to get to."

Where they're trying to get is a bit unclear. At 8-8 the Lions have already out-done their previous two seasons, but that may not be enough. There is still much for the Lions to prove.

"This game could be the definition of our season," Johnson said. "If we go 3-3, we could really start making some noise. But if we lose it, that's four straight losses in the Big Ten. We have to take care of business. We have to win."

The ominous "must-win" game has made its way back to the Bryce Jordan Center.