The Penn State men's basketball team matches up almost identically with tonight's opponent, although its record suggests otherwise.

Youth is not an excuse in the Nittany Lions' (7-13, 1-6 Big Ten) game against Indiana (9-9, 4-3 Big Ten). Both teams start three underclassmen and two juniors.

Three players on each team average double figures in scoring. Penn State guard and Freshman of the Year hopeful Geary Claxton will meet his match in Indiana forward D.J. White, who was the preseason favorite to snag the honor. White sits 13 spots above Claxton (12.1 ppg) in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game.

The difference-maker, though, could be the Hoosiers' veteran backcourt of junior guards Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland.

"They've got some juniors and seniors and that's important," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "That's been a benefit to the other guys on the team, and when it really gets tough they can throw the ball to Bracey Wright and they've got a pretty good chance they're going to score."

Wright is averaging 17.5 points per game against the Lions, while Strickland has 13 assists and six turnovers in his career against Penn State. The play of Penn State sophomore point guard Ben Luber hasn't proven he is the most experienced Lion on the court. Luber was held scoreless in 32 minutes of play during Penn State's 76-50 loss to Wisconsin Saturday. In the last three games, he averaged 2.6 points and three assists. Penn State's backcourt struggles are just one of many aspects that leave DeChellis searching for answers he can't seem to find.

"We just met upstairs for three hours [Monday] morning on how to prepare for Indiana and obviously about what we're going to try to do to get better," DeChellis said.

"And some of the things are things that you just can't get better until..."

Until the Lions' six prominent players have their best games every time they step on the court. But it's almost unrealistic to expect that from four of six players who are just seven games into their Big Ten careers. Freshmen guards Danny Morrissey, Walker and Claxton have to reach double digits in scoring. Junior forward Travis Parker has to stay out of foul trouble and contribute his share of scoring while helping junior forward Aaron Johnson on the boards. Penn State can't afford for Johnson to not record a double-double.

"Some of the things we saw on tape were about strength," DeChellis said. "Some of the things were about speed. Some things about quickness, and I don't know if I'm going to make that all better in two hours [Monday] afternoon," DeChellis said.

But the Lions can come out and play with intensity that they admittedly haven't been showcasing as of late. They can think back to the 68-62 loss to Ohio State, how close they came to their first Big Ten road win in almost four years, and how much harder that task will be tonight, considering they are 0-11 in Bloomington. They can also reflect on the humiliation they felt after being blown out at home by Wisconsin, a team the Hoosiers beat 74-61 on Jan. 8.

"You have to keep that taste in your mouth of how a loss feels and do everything we can to prevent that so that doesn't happen again," Walker said.