“CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Penn State lost 83-62 at Minnesota last week, and tonight the Nittany Lions are in for a tough assignment at No. 1-ranked Illinois (16-0 overall, 2-0 in Big Ten).
“The only thing that makes Penn State coach Ed DeChellis feel better is that his Nittany Lions (6-9, 0-2) will play the following game at home.
“At the unanimous urging of its men’s basketball coaches, the Big Ten has altered the league’s schedule this season so that no team will play three consecutive road games.
“‘I think three in a row was tough, so it’s a positive to have only two on the road in one stretch,’ said DeChellis, whose team has recorded four of its six victories at its Bryce Jordan Center. ‘It could help a young team like us.’ …”