When you win, they will come.

"They" are the people that cover Penn State men's basketball. And yesterday "they", came to hear what Jerry Dunn had to say about his team's up coming match up against their inter-state rival, Temple, in the Sweet 16 on Friday in Atlanta.

"Well I like the company, I think it goes with the territory," he said. "When you're doing well the benefits are the accolades that come with it. I understand that. Again I will try to concentrate on the process and not let the things that I can't control bother me and I think that's the only way to do it."

Dunn, who has tried to remain focused on Temple, realizes that making it to the Sweet 16 is something that tends to draw an interest from everyone.

On Sunday night more than 300 students showed up at the University Park Airport to welcome the team home from New Orleans after its victory against North Carolina.

Since the win, the town has been buzzing with excitement, which may or may not make Dunn's job easier. That was going to be determined last night when the players went back to practice for first time since Sunday's win.

"I have been trying to keep a low profile," Dunn said. "I know the campus has been excited but there is a lot of work left to do. We have got to take care of the task at hand because we're not done yet."

Freshman maturing at the right time

While it is easy to point out some of the stars on Penn State's basketball team with the its senior leadership of Titus Ivory, Joe Crispin and Gyasi Cline-Heard, some would have to notice the emergence of freshman Jammal Tate.

Tate, who stands just over six-foot and plays behind Jon Crispin, has stepped up his play in recent games and has found more confidence in his ability to play in bigger games.

In Sunday's victory against the Tar Heels, Tate had four points in just nine minutes of action. While this would not be considered a lot, he has been able to make his impact felt throughout the season at crucial times.

In the win on the road against Iowa three weeks ago, Tate dropped two key foul shots that iced the game for Penn State. If Tate had missed the two shots there is a chance the Lions would not be where there are today.

"Jammal has played well for us all year," Ivory said. "Sometimes he comes to me and we go over plays together. He's a great guy and its great to have him a part of this team."

Savoring every moment

For the three starting seniors (Cline-Heard, Ivory and Crispin), this was their last chance at making something happen — and all three have made the most of it.

All season long each person has attempted to make a difference.

Crispin led the team and Big Ten in scoring with 19 points. Ivory poured in 21 points in Sunday's win and led the team in steals with 83.

Cline-Heard is second in scoring and leads the team with eight rebounds per game.

Now where every game could be their last, they are attempting to extend the season just a little bit farther by working together as a team and most all taking the time to enjoy it.

"We all know it could come to an end at any time. But right now, we really don't want it to stop," Crispin said.

Calm on home front for Ivory

On Sunday morning, Ivory's mother Carlenia was taken to a New Orleans hospital for a stomach ailment and watched the North Carolina game from her bed. After spending a night in the hospital she was released on Monday and returned to her Charlotte home and will be attending Friday's game in Atlanta.

"She's doing very well," Ivory said. "She has a few doctor's appointments and we have some family helping her out, but she'll down in Atlanta."