INDIANAPOLIS - It's obvious after one trip down the main streets of Indianapolis that something is abuzz.

The city's traditional street names have been replaced with the monikers of colorful mascots, its waste receptacles converted into basketballs. For competitors in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament, it's an exciting place to be.

And for the Penn State Lady Lions (14-15, 7-9 Big Ten), sauntering down Nittany Lion Drive amidst the regalia might just be the ingredient it needs to win its first conference game away from the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Lady Lions, owners of the Big Ten's fifth seed, will meet No. 4 seed Illinois (18-11, 8-8) in the Big Ten quarterfinals, tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse. The contest will take place at approximately 8:30 p.m., 25 minutes after the previous game ends. Penn State suffered an overtime defeat to the Illini in late December, but it hopes that a loose team might shake the stigma that it can't win on the road.

"I encourage them to get out and walk around. It relaxes them, it's a distraction. It's the fun and the flavor of a conference tournament," head coach Rene Portland said. "There's supposed to be festivities and people you know."

The Lady Lions must shut down some of those familiar faces. Senior center Amanda Brown, an all-Big Ten first team selection, will have her hands full with Illinois freshman Jenna Smith. Meanwhile, Penn State's own all-freshman teamer Tyra Grant will attempt to hold Illini guard Lori Bjork to less than the game-high 24 points she scored in the last outing.

A win would help solidify the resume of either squad looking to scrape its way into a berth in a national postseason tournament. The Lady Lions might have enough quality wins to get a look from the WNIT, while Illinois has its eyes on the higher prize, the NCAA Tournament. Still, both may need the added boost a tournament victory can provide. Penn State, in particular, can benefit from a quality road win.

"We have to get that one [win]," Portland said, referencing her team's chances at a WNIT bid. "We're 0-0 right now, and I have to keep saying that, because everyone's away."