The Penn State men's basketball team is shooting for 10,000 tonight -- fans, that is.

The Nittany Lions are partnering with the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon for the "Target Ten" Challenge, which is an effort to draw 10,000 students to tonight's game against Ohio State University.

If 10,000 student tickets are sold for the game, proceeds from all student single-game ticket sales for Saturday's game against Michigan State University will benefit Thon.

"It's our first year doing a promotion of this magnitude," said Matt Checchio, marketing coordinator for Penn State athletics. "We want to encourage the student body to do its part in supporting Thon."

Checchio said the basketball team decided to do another event to raise money for Thon after the Thon Dodgeball Tournament 2007 raised more than $6,700.

He added that the idea for the "Target Ten" Challenge originated when a member of the student section -- Nittany Nation -- said he wished there was a way to "target 10,000 students."

"This is a really great opportunity for Thon and basketball to work together especially because we take over their home for a weekend," said Mike Petrasek, Thon overall public relations chairman. "It's tough for basketball to get involved with Thon because it's in season, so when we can get together, it's a great thing."

Thon will be held Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Petrasek said tonight's game will be nationally televised on ESPN. This week is Student Spirit Week on ESPN, and the channel is highlighting different ways schools show school spirit. Thon might be one of those things, Petrasek said.

"This is turning out to be great national exposure for Thon and for the team," Checchio said.

Petrasek said instead of asking members of Thon committees to wear Penn State blue and white, the athletic department asked them to wear Thon shirts.

"Basketball realized that one huge tradition here is Thon, and they wanted to show that on national television," Petrasek said.

Thon captains will perform the 2007 line dance during halftime, Petrasek said. Organizations will be able to earn spirit points for attending the game by checking in at Gate A before it begins, he added.

As an effort to encourage students to buy tickets, the Big Ten Network purchased 1,000 tickets and offered a 'buy one, get one free' deal to students who bought tickets in the HUB-Robeson Center Friday, Checchio said.

Tickets are still available for tonight's game, and Checchio said he is encouraging students to buy tickets early to avoid standing in line outside before the game.

Tickets cost $5 and are available at the HUB information desk, the Bryce Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium and Penn State Tickets Downtown, 146 S. Allen St.

Doors for tonight's game will open at 5:30 p.m; tip-off will be at 7 p.m.

Checchio said he has seen the event gain momentum as far as student awareness on campus.

"It seems like with anything partnered with Thon, students jump on board immediately, and that's great," Checchio said.

Checchio said there are two parts to the "Target Ten" Challenge: drawing students to tonight's game and bringing them back Saturday. Loren Crispell, marketing manager for Penn State basketball, said the event was made into a two-part event because having it span the week coordinates with ESPN's Student Spirit Week.

"We have high expectations. We want to have 10,000 students come out, win against Ohio and then bring all of the students back Saturday," Checchio said. "Whether we win the game or not, though, it's a win-win situation."