With concerns about the weather in the Midwest over the last 24 hours, Penn State was hoping to get into Champaign smoothly for its 9 p.m. tip with Illinois at Assembly Hall tomorrow.

The Nittany Lions’ team plane had to land in Evansville, Ind., on Monday night, because of a major ice storm hovering above Champaign. With no signs the storm will subside any time soon, the Lions will remain in Evansville for the night and leave for Champaign by bus Tuesday morning. Sports information director Brian Siegrist said in a text message that no departure time has been set yet.

The team landed in Evansville around 8 p.m. and hoped to bus into Champaign Monday night, but the weather wouldn’t allow it.

It’s roughly a four-hour drive to Champaign from Evansville.

The Lions are hoping to make it to Champaign in time for their noon shoot around.

The Nittany Lions beat the Illini 57-55 on Jan. 11 at the Bryce Jordan Center, and are currently tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, having won four out of their last six games, including a win Saturday over then-No. 17 Wisconsin.