When a basketball team dressed in blue and white (and red) takes the floor at the Bryce Jordan Center tonight, expect to see amazing ball handling, gravity-defying slam dunks and an almost certain victory.

It's not the Penn State men's basketball team.

It's the Harlem Globetrotters.

During the course of 76 years, the Harlem Globetrotters have played in 117 countries. The team recently celebrated its 21,000th victory on Jan. 13 when it defeated the New York Nationals, their exhibition opponent, with a score of 107-52.

"It's an art wrapped up in a sport, and the players are representatives of that," said Otis Key, a Globetrotter forward for five years.

Key has been in State College the past several days touring as the team's ambassador. He was featured on a local radio station, visited an elementary school and spent Wednesday at Wegman's Food Market, 345 Lowes Blvd., playing basketball with customers. "We want to leave a positive mark on whomever we come in contact with," Key said about his role-model status. "It's not about points and rebounds, but smiles and wins."

Tonight marks the sixth game the team has played at the center. Key said he especially likes playing at Penn State because of the crowd. He, as well as the rest of the team, sees the crowd as the most important element of the game.

"Fans are warm here and they always get really excited when we come," Key said.

"Really excited" might be putting it lightly for Globetrotter fans elsewhere.

"We've had some very unique fans. Streakers and ..." he said as his voice trailed off.

Although fans at the exhibition games are there to watch a performance, the team also plays serious basketball. This coming fall, the Globetrotters will play 12 competitive games against the Top 25 college basketball teams.

"I think it would be a great idea for [the Penn State men's basketball team] to play against them to see how we do," said Brian Allen, the director of basketball operation for Penn State.

But Key said he already knows the outcome.

"We'd win," Key said.

Bernie Punt, the center's head of sales and marketing, described the Globetrotters as "timeless entertainment."

"You don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy the Harlem Globetrotters. It's an all-age show," Punt said. "College students, as well as children, as well as senior citizens will like this show."

The Harlem Globetrotters will be performing at 7 tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center. Reserved tickets are $17, $21.50, and $63.50. Discount tickets can be purchased at participating Burger Kings. Tickets are available at the Bryce Jordan Center or Eisenhower Auditorium.