Sitting almost directly on the .500 winning percentage needed to qualify for the NIT, the Penn State men's basketball team is treading the waters of success. But if it wants to make that splash, the team will need to regain its hunger to take a bite out of the Big Apple's postseason tournament.

For the Nittany Lions (11-10, 3-7 Big Ten), doing so starts with an opportunity tomorrow vs. Wisconsin (17-6, 6-4 Big Ten) at 4 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center.

"I don't think we're gonna doubt it 'till the end of the season," senior forward Travis Parker said.

Parker said that about potentially heading to the NIT after the Lions let a lack of energy guide them to a 77-66 loss Wednesday night vs. Minnesota. Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said he didn't see a hungry Lions team, but added the bonus of college basketball is you can come back soon enough for redemption.

"We can't get that back," DeChellis said of the Minnesota game. "[But] you can try to get the bad taste out of your mouth in three days."

But what kind of mouthwash to use, what kind of method?

DeChellis said he tried to rattle his team's cages for two days prior to Wednesday's loss, seeing the letdown coming. For tomorrow he's taking a different approach, with light practice and video on tap.

"We need fresh legs," DeChellis said.

Especially for rebounding, crucial for any team, but especially for Penn State tomorrow. The Lions rebound with quickness, not size, so being active under the glass dictates their performance. It showed Wednesday when Minnesota had a 37-23 rebounding advantage, including 24-9 under the Penn State hoop.

That translates into a lot of missed second chances and wasted possessions, something Penn State can ill afford given Wisconsin's 72.8 points per game, good for fourth in the conference. The last time the two teams met, in a 72-43 Penn State loss at Wisconsin on Jan. 25., the Badgers used 8-of-16 3-point shooting in the first period to stake a 40-18 halftime lead.

The Lions sit last in the conference in field-goal defense, allowing a 45 percent shooting percentage in conference play. Normally one opposing player gets the hot hand, and, despite specifically trying to defend it, DeChellis said he didn't know why it continues to happen.

"I don't have any reason, there is no excuse," DeChellis said.

Whether or not one of the Badgers joins the inner circle of Lions killers remains to be seen, but there is a way Penn State can at least try to stop him if he does.

"It all comes back to the energy and the pop you have," DeChellis said. "Either you're gonna find the guy or you're not."

Looking for advantages, one could point to Penn State hosting the game. Entering yesterday, Big Ten teams have gone 36-16 at home, a sizable advantage. Yet, the Lions are the only conference team to post a better record away from home (2-3) than in it (1-4).

Home or away, Penn State proved it can win and compete when hungry: a 66-65 win last Saturday at No. 6 Illinois and a near win at No. 11 ranked Michigan State on Jan. 28. It said it played with a zip not present Wednesday night.

DeChellis said landmark wins like Illinois aren't the highlight of the season. The highlight is "you've got to come" every game. Tomorrow vs. Wisconsin, who broke a three-game losing streak Wednesday, creating an advantage with hard play rather than relying on an outside force remains a priority.

"They're back on track," DeChellis said. "Our backs are against the wall every night out."

And tomorrow night vs. Wisconsin, DeChellis will see if their bellies are full.