Fresh off a much-needed Big Ten road victory -- the program's first in nearly five years -- the Penn State men's basketball team (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) is looking to take care of business at home tomorrow against Iowa.

The Hawkeyes (12-4, 1-1) enter tomorrow's contest, which tips off at noon in the Bryce Jordan Center, well rested after defeating previously unbeaten Illinois last Saturday.

A trio of Hawkeyes sit atop the statistical leaderboards. Iowa's Greg Brunner leads the conference in rebounding. Guard Jeff Horner is the Big Ten assist leader. Erek Hansen is currently the conference's premiere shot-blocker.

Even so, Penn State has more confidence now than it has had in quite some time, and that confidence is exactly what head coach Ed DeChellis has been looking for since fall practice began in October.

"[The win] gives us a lot of confidence," sophomore Geary Claxton said. "I know we can compete with anybody when we come out and play hard."

Now the Nittany Lions must turn that increased confidence into improved performance. The last time Penn State beat a Big Ten opponent not clad in purple was over two years ago, when the Lions downed Ohio State at the BJC on Jan. 10, 2004.

"It's just one win in the Big Ten -- that's all it is," DeChellis said of Wednesday's victory over Northwestern. "We've got a long way to go, we've got 14 more of these things. But it is easier to get guys motivated and go to practice after having some success."

Claxton and freshman post player Jamelle Cornley have had little trouble finding motivation -- or the basket -- this season. Claxton leads the team with 15 points and nearly seven rebounds per game. Cornley, inserted into the starting lineup eight games into the season, chips in with over twelve points and five boards per contest.

The Lions might need to search for new modes of offensive production against Iowa, though, as the Hawkeyes lead the conference in scoring defense, blocked shots and defensive rebounding.

Although owners of a poor shooting percentage, the Hawkeyes still command the respect of Penn State on the offensive end as well.

"They're tough to guard because they've got great shooters and great inside players," junior Ben Luber said. "There's not really a weakness on their team."

For DeChellis and the Penn State coaches, there is little time to sit back and feel good about collecting a rare road win, as this season is all about improvement and confidence.

"We're not even close to being at where I need to push us to be," DeChellis said. "There are peaks and valleys, and you've got to ride them out. I just want our team to be better at the end of the year than it is now."