Lisicky finishes career in spotlight . . .

Don't expect tears from Pete Lisicky tonight as he walks to center court of The Bryce Jordan Center to accept his senior blanket from Nittany Lion coach Jerry Dunn in his final regular season home game.

That's not his style. His parents may be a mess, the fans will most likely be on their feet screaming and Dunn even admitted it may be an emotional night for him. But to Lisicky it's just another game, the 111th of his storied career.

"I'm thinking about it like I want to get ready for Michigan," Lisicky said. "I want to make the NCAA Tournament and in order to do that we have to keep on winning one game at a time."

When he was a freshman and the Lions had their backs to the wall against Iowa in the NIT, there was the 6-foot-4 shooting guard knocking down the 3-pointer and sending Penn State to New York City for the Final Four.

Then, as a sophomore, he played a complementary role. He was the swish to Dan Earl's dish. He was the outside to Matt Gaudio's inside.

In the last two seasons, he went from being a role player to being the player. He has been the emotional leader and the scoring leader for the Lions.

"I cannot applaud him enough for the leadership role he has assumed over the last two years because of Danny's absence and that's not been easy," Dunn said. "He's had to shoulder a lot and deal with the double- and sometimes triple-teaming from opponents."

With his success has come attention from Penn State opponents -- lots of it. His jump shot is as well known around the league as any other player's shot. He is third all-time on Penn State's scoring list and holds the record for 3-pointers.

Every Lion opponent in the last two seasons has guarded Lisicky with their best defender or with a double-team. Yet, Lisicky has still found a way to get his points. He averaged 16.3 points per game last year and 15.5 this season.

He has also stepped up other parts of his game. This season he leads the team in assists with 89 and is tied for ninth all-time in this category.

"I think that speaks volumes about him as a person," Dunn said. "He's willing to do what it takes for his team to be successful. I think his assists indicate he can do more than just shoot the basketball."

That comes along with the way Lisicky strives to make his teammates better. He has had to deal with his close friend and teammate, Earl, being injured for the last two seasons and having to make up for the void left by Earl's absence.

During the last four years, he has come to symbolize the Penn State basketball program. He spurned offers from big-time programs like Duke and UCLA in order to stay close to home and be a part of building a tradition at Penn State.

"He could have gone to many high-profile schools," said former Penn State assistant coach Ed DeChellis. "He wanted to show people he could help a program grow and not just be another guy in a program."

It's evident on the court when Lisicky looks disgusted after he misses a shot or he gets called for a foul. It is also evident in the classroom where he has been just as successful. He was a GTE Academic All-American last year and has been a consistently good student in an era when student-athlete is almost a contradiction in terms.

"I think being competitive is what life is all about," Lisicky said. "If you want to be successful you have got to be competitive. It's survival of the fittest."

But, Lisicky also knows not everyone is like him and he is more than willing to help out whenever he can. One thing Lisicky truly enjoys doing is working with children. He helps out on Sundays whenever he can with a basketball clinic that former Lion assistant Mike Morse runs for young children.

Lisicky likes to show the kids he is human just like them and give them encouragement. He knows everyone hasn't been blessed with a caring family like he has and tries to fill that void for some kids.

The Whitehall native is never too busy to help out, even when he's on the court. Last week against Ohio State, the Lions were battling to take the lead after they fell behind to the Buckeyes. It was the middle of the second half and Penn State was just about to blow the game open on the way to victory.

During a timeout, three children were on the court holding signs that spelled out "PSU." Lisicky saw them out of the corner of his eye and the look on their faces brought him back to his childhood.

When the Lions' huddle broke, Lisicky walked over to the kids and gave them five and tapped them on the back of the head.

"I tried to loosen them up a little and say, 'Hey, what's up guys? Good job.' I just tried to make them feel more comfortable."

It is fair to say most college players wouldn't have taken the time to do this if their team was winning by 20 points never mind in a tight game, but that's Lisicky. He always has an extra minute if someone needs it.

He attributes these qualities to his family. Lisicky has seven brothers and sisters and his family was always tight-knit. All of his siblings will be in attendance tonight except for his younger brother Gabe, who plays for DeChellis at East Tennessee State and has a game.

His parents and grandmothers will both be there as well. You can bet that even if Pete doesn't need some Kleenex at center court, someone in his family will.

"I'm not looking forward to (tonight)," Pete's mother, Donata, said. "I wish he could stay there forever. I kind of dread it, but all good things must come to an end."

There will probably be around 15,000 people that share Mrs. Lisicky's feeling. Lisicky has been a fan favorite from the day he put on the blue and white. He is always the last one introduced in the pre-game and always receives the loudest ovation at home and the most boos on the road. His jersey is in the front window of every sporting goods store in State College and the Penn State fans will surely be sad to see him go.

But more than missing Lisicky the player, Earl said he will miss Lisicky the person. The two are roommates and close friends. Neither one could have imagined when Earl was showing Lisicky around on his official visit five years ago that Earl would be the one watching Lisicky's senior night and not the other way around.

"It's going to be tough," Earl said. "I would love to play another year with him. It's just a shame it's not going to happen. I'm going to miss him as a friend."

There will be more than one person saying that tonight. Lisicky said his favorite memories of Penn State aren't going to the NCAA tournament or scoring 30 points in this game or 25 in that game, it's the people he's met and the friends he's made.

"I want to be the best person I can be," Lisicky said, "and try and help my family and friends do the same thing. I know I wouldn't be where I am without them."

And the Penn State men's basketball program wouldn't be where it is without Pete Lisicky.