For the few remaining fans of the Penn State men's basketball team in Happy Valley, have no fear: you will soon be put out of your misery.

Yet another painful and forgettable season is nearing its end as the Nittany Lions (7-20, 1-13 Big Ten) have their final home contest of the season at 8 tonight when the Minnesota Golden Gophers (19-9, 9-6) come to the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Lions are on pace to have one of their worst records in school history. If Penn State loses its final three contests of the year (the Lions close out their season at No. 14 Michigan State on Saturday and will play at least one contest in the Big Ten tournament), the Lions will set a single-season school record with 23 losses. Penn State finished with 22 losses in 1983-84 when it had a record of 5-22 overall.

But after four blowout defeats in a row, Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said his team isn't ready to give up just yet.

"We're going to get their best shot and we've got to be ready to come back," DeChellis said. "It's not like we are coming in here just playing to play."

With a roster that features five newcomers (four freshmen and a junior college transfer), the length of the season has clearly taken a toll on the Lions.

"Tired is not the word," junior forward Travis Parker said. "I'm exhausted."

"I'm pretty tired, it's tough mentally and physically," freshman Mike Walker said of adjusting to the rigors of a Big Ten season. "It's all about energy levels. You come and lose a lot of creativity when you lose energy ... and all of the losses add up on you."

Minnesota comes to State College with a three-game winning streak and hopes of reaching its first 20-win season since 1992-93 and its first season with double-digit conference wins since 1989-90. The Gophers are also hoping to make a last-minute push toward the NCAA tournament -- which puts the Lions in the familiar position of trying to be a spoiler.

"I think they are very worthy of a tournament bid and I'm sure they are very focused," DeChellis said. "To get 10 wins in our league, I think you've had a great season and have a great chance to get to the NCAA tournament."

Leading the way for the Gophers are junior guard Vincent Grier and senior center Jeff Hagen. Grier is averaging a team-best 17.6 points a game while Hagen chips in nearly 12 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.

"The improvement that they made from last year to this year has been outstanding," DeChellis said. "You look at Vincent Grier and what he's brought to the table. He's been a tremendous help to them, some toughness, a guy who can score, a guy who can defend. He's a tremendous one-on-one player. Hagen has had some pretty solid form."

The game also will be the last home contest ever for Penn State seniors Jason McDougald, Kevin Fellows and Jamaal Tate (who is currently an inactive member of the team).