Pennsylvania State University NCAA News

Karen Price is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-320-7980, via e-mail or on Twitter .

The Big Ten Conference women's basketball race begins its final two weeks and more than half the league is within three games of first place. Thursday's results brought two upsets and there are more surprises to come. The 16th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers are hungry to remain atop the standings but must navigate a difficult road. 'This is our last chance,' said Brittany Rayburn, one of six seniors on the roster. 'I haven't had that taste of a regular season or tournament championship. That's something we want really bad.' Purdue (9-2) Remaining schedule: at Ohio State, today; Penn State, Thursday; at Michigan State, Feb. 19; at Michigan, Feb. 23; Indiana, Feb. 26. Key question: Is there enough offense to keep up with the Buckeyes and the Lady Lions? Analysis: Toughest schedule of the contenders, but the Boilermakers are rested after a week off. Program won seven titles in a 12-year span, but none since 2002. Need at least three wins to remain in contention. Penn State (9-3) Remaining schedule: at Northwestern, today; at Purdue, Thursday; Ohio State, Feb. 20; Minnesota, Feb. 26. Key question: Are the Lady Lions willing to play defense down the stretch? Analysis: Other than the trip to West Lafayette the schedule isn't daunting for the preseason choice by media and coaches. Beat Purdue and Ohio State and the championship likely moves to State College. Ohio State (8-3) Remaining schedule: Purdue, today; Indiana, Thursday; at Penn State, Feb. 20; Minnesota, Feb. 23; at Nebraska, Feb. 26. Key question: Can Tayler Hill and Samantha Prahalis carry the Buckeyes to the title? Analysis: After stumbling at Minnesota and Illinois, there's a question whether Ohio State can push through, especially with visits to Penn State and Nebraska. Win the home games, split on the road and the Buckeyes will be right there. Nebraska (8-3) Remaining schedule: at Minnesota, Monday; Northwestern, Thursday; Wisconsin, Feb. 19; at Michigan State, Feb. 23; Ohio State, Feb. 26. Key question: Can the Huskers score if they're not hitting 3-pointers? Analysis: Youngest team in the league will be challenged at Minnesota and Michigan State. Can't have a repeat of what happened Thursday against Michigan. Must win the home games to stay in the hunt. Michigan State (7-4) Remaining schedule: at Iowa, today; at Wisconsin, Thursday; Purdue, Feb. 19; Nebraska, Feb. 23; at Northwestern, Feb. 26. Key question: Will anyone slow down Porsche Poole, who is averaging 25.8 points the last four games? Analysis: Not a longshot but probably needs to win out to gain at least a share. Will need help but faces two contenders. Important game is today's matchup against the Hawkeyes.

No. 18 Penn State at Northwestern When: 1 p.m., today Where: Welsh-Ryan Arena Television: Big Ten Network Radio: WQWK 1450 Penn State Lady Lions Probable Starters Pos.

Patrick Chambers held his two young children - 3-year-old Grace and 2-year-old Ryan - on his lap as he talked to reporters Saturday after his team's game against Nebraska.

Billy Oliver looked every bit the part of a member of Penn State's basketball team.

Dylan Talley's 12 points led a pair of Huskers in double figures, but Tim Frazier's double-double led Penn State to a 67-51 victory over Nebraska Saturday afternoon.

Community Voices blogs offer a cross-section of opinions and interests. The bloggers are not employees of the Post-Gazette, and their views are their own.

His film isn't the greatest in quality but it's clear that this 6'1" New Yorker is a load to take down.

Game 24: at Penn State Game Date: Feb. 11, 2012 Tipoff Time: 12:06 p.m. Venue: Bryce Jordan Center Capacity: 15,261 Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011-12 Record: 11-12 Head coach: Doc Sadler Record at Nebraska: 100-83 Record at Division I: 148-101 Career Record: 268-140 Penn State Nittany Lions 2011-12 Record: 10-15 Head Coach: Patrick Chambers Record at ... (more)

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, FEB. 10-11 - FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2012 file photo, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger pulls down a rebound as Penn State's Sasa Borovnjak looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Columbus, Ohio.

The Bellwood-Antis Blue Devils stood their ground atop the Inter-County Conference North Division standings with a win over Glendale on Friday night.

Big Ten bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett will occasionally give their takes on a burning question facing the league.

With just a few weeks to go in the Big Ten regular season, followers of the conference have a pretty good understanding of each team's go-to players, as well as the other key contributors who play a role in each team's success.

The Big Ten postseason player rankings roll on with No. 22. As a reminder, these rankings are based on 2011 on-field performance only, not future potential or NFL projections.

At State College, Pa., Maggie Lucas scored 16 points to help Penn State beat Wisconsin on Thursday night.

Boston College Center Katie Zenevitch and Duke forward Haley Peters fight for a loose ball in the first half in Boston.

Penn State's seed for next month's conference tournament will largely come down to back-to-back games against No.

It took him an hour and 20 minutes just to skim through the thick book his new head coach handed to him.

Dallastown High School graduate Ben Kline was among 16 members of the Penn State football team to earn Dean's List recognition during the fall semester.

With a showdown at Ohio State looming on Saturday, the Michigan St. Spartans took care of business Wednesday night, easily dispatching the Penn St.