Penn State shoots for third win this season over Illinois

Penn State has pushed Illinois through every emotion in dealing the Fighting Illini a pair of deflating losses in the regular season.

Illinois (20-11) gets a third crack at the Nittany Lions (19-12) on Thursday in the Big Ten tournament in Chicago.

To advance to the quarterfinals and a matchup with No. 2 seed Northwestern on Friday night, Illinois needs to solve the challenge of Penn State guard Jalen Pickett.

Pickett