“For anyone who’s been around Penn State basketball any length of time, this game reminds you of one eight years ago.
“When 23rd-ranked Illinois invades the Jordan Center for the Lions’ home finale tonight, the stakes and the consequences will remind of the 2001 match with Ohio State.
“Like that game, Penn State is scrambling in the middle of the Big Ten pack, worried about its NCAA tournament standing. Like that game, the visitor is secure in third place, an NCAA bid not in doubt. Like that team, this one enters its final two games with the consequence of a home loss being a must-win at Iowa.
“This is the first time since then that PSU has been engaged in any NCAA bubble talk. …”