While the Penn State coaching staff researched hours of game tape for clues on how to shut down a popular choice for the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft, if he so chooses to declare, the Nittwits were scanning the Internet for dirt.
Utilizing a tool that could seem traitorous, "friending" multiple Ohio State players on the Web site facebook.com, they gained access to a plethora of incriminating party pictures to fill their file of trash talk before tonight's game.
The first, and possibly only, time Greg Oden steps on the Bryce Jordan Center floor, the Nittwits want to ask him something.
Where's your AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) membership card?
"You know, because he looks like he's 45," Nittwits founder Justin Casavant said. "Also, you'll never win a championship because you are going to play for the Sixers. I don't totally want to let the cat out of the bag, but we'll have some stuff ready."
All of the psychological junk will be compiled into the pregame release called "40 minutes," one of the many items produced by the Nittwits' membership dollars. Casavant wanted to blowup pictures of Ohio State coach Thad Matta, but the costs would have stretched the budget.
On Valentine's Day, with a substantial amount of snow on the ground, fans will trek through the frosty wilderness just to gaze at the Oden spectacle. Casavant and Nittwit President Bryan Schuster admit this, but to a certain extent, they walk the company line.
Like any team focusing on the entire opponent, the Nittwits said they won't boo any louder for Oden. They won't give it to the 19-year-old, 7-footer any more than they did to Wisconsin's Alando Tucker this past weekend.
"Personally, it is something to see Greg Oden, who could be the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the draft," Schuster said, "but I'm really focused on Ohio State ... As long as you have an Ohio State jersey on, that's enough fuel, I guess."
Several sheets of poster board have been purchased, and more than a few will make fun of the Buckeyes for alleged NCAA rules infractions for paying players, but at least one of Schuster's signs will apologize to his girlfriend after skipping Valentine's for the nationally televised game.
But, even if the Nittany Lions are 1-9 in the Big Ten conference, and Oden could one day be viewed as the most acclaimed athlete to play a game at the Jordan Center, the Nittwits are focused on the names on the front of the uniform.
Casavant said he does receive some criticism from friends who tell him, "You are going to a basketball game? Have fun watching them lose."
Even so, Casavant wasn't worried about student section support. And the snow might lock many into their homes, watching the game on ESPN, but he didn't quite care about that, either. Casavant is ready for a personal mind war with Oden and Co.
"I know the students will show up, and personally, I don't care if the other fans don't," he said. "They don't make any noise anyway."
