INDIANAPOLIS -- The scene played out all too familiarly for Ohio State. As usual, the top-seeded Buckeyes (27-2, 16-1 Big Ten) controlled their conference game with Indiana. Jessica Davenport, the Big Ten's first three-time player of the year, was outright unstoppable.

But instead of leaning back and relaxing after a win to push his team into the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, head coach Jim Foster found himself pondering how to replace a starting guard for the second time in as many months.

During the second half against the Hoosiers on Friday, Marscilla Packer fell just inside the three-point line, clutching her left ankle -- the same ankle she seemed to aggravate earlier in the game. She was helped off the floor, this time noticeably in more pain. She could be seen later wandering behind the Buckeye bench on crutches, joining her backcourt mate Brandie Hoskins with a debilitating injury.

Foster would comment yesterday that he "would be shocked if she played" in tonight's matchup with fifth-seeded Penn State (15-15, 8-9).

But despite having to replace Packer's 10.6 scoring average -- losing almost 25 points total when added to Hoskins' production - he doesn't expect his squad to show any signs of weakness.

"We have players that practice every day and just are sitting there chomping at the bit for an opportunity," Foster said. "We have veterans. We've won this conference tournament, we've won the league. But the freshmen haven't. So it's exciting to them, they love the environment."

It's hard to build a champion without depth, and fortunately, that's one area in which the Buckeyes aren't lacking. When Hoskins went down with the second ruptured Achilles' tendon of her career, sophomore UCLA transfer Ashlee Trebilcock stepped right into the lineup and provided a viable scoring threat from outside. Now, senior Stephanie Blanton and freshman Cherise Daniel could be asked to try to follow in Trebilcock's footsteps and provide more relief.

But make no mistake, Ohio State's offense has and will continue to revolve around Davenport and her emerging complement in the post, sophomore Star Allen.

"We've had some injuries as of late, but we've still got great players who are capable of doing great things on the court," Davenport said. "Everybody's confident in what we can do, so it's not like 'Oh, Brandie's not here, everything's gonna shut down.' "

Penn State head coach Rene Portland now knows that she can focus more attention in Davenport's direction. But she also knows all too well how the once nameless rabble of Buckeye bench players can make their presence felt. Trebilcock scored 17 points on 8-9 shooting during Ohio State's 78-61 win against the Lady Lions on Feb. 22.

Penn State guards Mashea Williams and Brianne O'Rourke will have their hands full once again. They neutralized Illinois' leading scorer Lori Bjork on Friday, but Foster says his team plays a different style that will work into its favor.

"Our kids have the ability to put the ball on the floor, take it off the dribble," Foster said. "And we also have the benefit of having a player like Davenport on the floor, who you've gotta do something different with your philosophy to play against her. A lot of times that negates a lot of the other advantages a team might have."