The No. 5 Lady Lions (23-4, 15-1 Big Ten) will get their first chance to fulfill their slogan "Reaching New Heights" and avenge last season's failures this weekend at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, starting with their first game against Indiana (12-16, 4-12) at noon today in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Hoosiers, the No. 9 seed in the tournament field, defeated Wisconsin yesterday 57-39 to earn the right to play the Lions, who had a bye in the first round as the tournament's No. 1 seed.
Even when putting last season's Big Ten Tournament debacle aside, Penn State has not faired as well as they would like in the conference tourney in the last 7 years. The Lions haven't won a title since 1996.
"We haven't won a Big Ten Tournament since we've been here," senior guard Kelly Mazzante said. "We've been in the finals before, and we really want to go after this tournament and get it."
Looking at the big picture, the tournament bracket appears to be set up well for the Lions. If Penn State beats the Hoosiers -- as many expect them to -- the Lions will face the winner of the game between Michigan State and Iowa at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, also in Conseco Fieldhouse. No matter which team the Lions face, they should be confident after defeating both of these teams handily on the road toward the end of the regular season, and this match up will be at a neutral site.
Lurking in the other half of the bracket is No. 2 seed Purdue (23-3, 14-2) and No. 3 seed Ohio State (19-8, 11-5). The battle would certainly be heated if Penn State were to meet either of these teams in a potential tournament final. Purdue should be hungry for revenge after losing to the Lions in the regular season finale, and Ohio State is the hottest team in the league with wins in nine of its last 10 games.
While winning the tournament title is on the furtive list of goals the women have cryptically referenced all season, Penn State will be playing for much more than just the satisfaction of winning another trophy. With a No. 2 strength of schedule and RPI to go with their top-five poll ranking, the Lions are in good position to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament -- which would greatly aid Penn State's chances of reaching its dream of a Final Four appearance.
With regrets from the past and hopes for the future, the Lions should have plenty to think about to keep them focused for this weekend.
"We can't be unfocused for one second," junior guard Tanisha Wright said. "We have to not take anything for granted going in, knowing that we are the best team in the league but knowing that it is tournament time -- and that's when everyone plays their best."
