With the abbreviated #MDHateWeek and #PSUHateWeeks coming to a close, the stage is set for what is being billed as the biggest non-conference game to ever be played in the Bryce Jordan Center. The Maryland Terrapins will travel from College Park to University Park to take on our Nittany Lions tonight at 9:15 p.m. as part of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Maryland comes into the game with a 5-2 record, beating up on some oh-so-delicious cupcakes while losing close games to Big East favorite Pittsburgh and Big Ten contender Illinois. Their leading scorer and rebounder, sophomore forward Jordan Williams, comes in averaging 17.4 points per game to go along with 11.9 rebounds. And even if he’s not scoring, you won’t miss him considering he stands 6-10 and weighs a program-listed weight of 260 pounds.

Penn State, currently 5-1 on the season, is in much the same position as Maryland, having beaten who they were supposed to beat but losing a road game to Mississippi 84-71  this past Friday night. They are looking to keep their Big Ten record three-game Challenge winning streak alive by picking up a signature win against the Terps which would certainly help come tournament time.

Nittany Nation president Katie Huber has been getting things ready for this game for a while now and wants as many students to show up as possible:

Not only is this a big game for our team, but it is the first big game for Nittany Nation as well. We are hoping to pack the BJC and break our student attendance record of 5,611 students while creating the best possible game day atmosphere that is both advantageous to our team and enjoyable for all fans in attendance.

If you can’t make it out to the game tonight, it will be aired nationally on ESPN2. But why wouldn’t you come? Are you really that scared of a turtle?