Scouting report: Illinois vs. Penn State

Penn State (8-7, 0-3) at Illinois (11-5, 3-0)

When: 8 p.m. at Assembly Hall

TV: BTN; Radio: WIND 560-AM

Skinny: Don't avert your eyes. There's no way these teams can repeat last year's 38-33 Penn State victory in Champaign that became a national punchline. "It was probably one of the worst games in basketball history," said Illinois junior point guard Demetri McCamey. "Hopefully we score more than that on Tuesday." Penn State hasn't recaptured last year's magic that led to a school-record 27 wins and an NIT championship. All-Big Ten point guard Talor Battle continues to excel (18.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.6 apg), but nobody has developed into the next Jamelle Cornley or Stanley Pringle. The Illini, meanwhile, seek that elusive 40-minute performance that could suggest they're ready for Saturday's trip to No. 7 Michigan State. Once again, Illinois will be well-served if it recognizes and exploits 7-foot-1 Mike Tisdale's likely mismatch inside.