Make a Day of It

Today is a great day for Philadelphia College Basketball. Wake up with your favorite Gentleman Drink and head down to the Dac for Drexel's 12 noon matchup with archrival Delaware. Drexel is in the mix in the CAA at 9-5. Northeastern leads the conference at 12-2 with both losses coming against the Dragons. Drexel is playing much better ball now than they were earlier in the season. Drexel Freshman Chris Fouch has been ruled out for the game which is a big loss.

Unless Drexel falls apart and loses to Delaware again, you should be able to beat the traffic and head down to the Wachovia Center. At 2pm Villanova hosts Providence in a Big East machup. Villanova will try to avoid a letdown following road games against two top ten teams. Nova is sitting a 1/2 game behind Syracuse in the Big East and is in the mix for a #1 seed in the NCAA's.

Hopefully Nova makes quick work of the Friars so you can make it to the other side of town to get good seats for the Rhode Island vs Temple game at the Liacouras Center. Both teams are within 1 game of the A-10 lead and the two teams already played an OT game this season with Temple coming out on top.

After the Temple game head on over to the Palestra to catch Penn against Columbia. It has been a forgettable season for the Quakers but they are coming off a huge upset of a top 25 team. This game is actually somewhat meaningful for the 3-2 Quakers but you don't really need a reason to catch a game at the Palestra.

There is no other city in America where you can do something like this.

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Duke at UNC

The best rivalry is basketball is renewed tonight as the defending National Champs host the Duke Blue Devils in Chapel Hill. To say the least, North Carolina is down this year but lets see if they turn it up against the hated rival from Durham. Join us for a live blog


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College Hoops

Some GREAT college basketball on TV today to take you away from the average college football(and the awful prognosticating). 5 of the 6 city teams are in action, highlighted by Temple hosting the #1 team in the nation. Villanova opens its Big East play against Marquette.

I am watching the UK vs Louisville game right now and these two teams want to kill each other. Over on ESPN2 'Nova is down 5 early. This is when I get pumped for basketball!

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Rant from R.H.

Temple gave Seton Hall their first loss in Jersey the other night. In Jersey. Temple's my new favorite team in case you haven't noticed. This game was Sat. night at 7. I couldn't find it anywhere at all on TV. There was high school football on, but not this. Whatever. Good point by Jerardi, rematch of the 2000 Tournament game where Temple laid an egg and lost in OT. Ty Shine (pre- Eddie Griffin black eye) and Dalembert on SHU. Ugh, what a nightmare that was.
I was looking forward to Duke- Gonzaga at MSG, and only saw bits and pieces, but had to tune out quickly. Zags didn't show up. Duke is even more nauseating when up 30 in front of their shitbag fans. Jon Scheyer.....little p***y.

Nova gets Redding back, clean and sober hopefully. They needed him too. Needed his leadership and stability with all these young guards. Plus they'll need to him to win games with the Big East schedule coming up. I guess Syracuse is good, but I can't believe they're as good as they've looked so far. Jackson and Jardine-- Neumann connection. I still can't shake the fact that they lost to that DII team at the dome in a scrimmage.
Speaking of the Nova game, this from Mushnick in the Post:

* Villanova-Fordham, Saturday, on YES. A camera found a sweet picture of a kid, 9 or 10, holding ice cream. The kid gave the camera the finger. . .

Pretty funny, but sign of the times I guess with disrespectful punk kids. Don't get me started! Shades of Costanza with the ice cream on TV....



Drexel-Kentucky tonight at Rupp. Line is now at 58 and a half. I assume Bruiser and Calipari are buddies or something. Ick. Oh well, at least Drexel gets an ESPN game that doesn't start just before dawn. How bout Calipari, coming out and saying he "disagrees" with Knight, but nothing else? If you were innocent and someone said that about you, you would come back with guns blazing. But he knows what Knight said is true, and he has no comeback. Slimy fraud. I read an article about John Wall today. Towards the end there was a blurb that he was arrested in May for breaking and entering. Sounds like a nice kid. Maybe that's why Roy Williams didn't recruit him at all (and why Cal jumped on him) even though he played in his backyard.
St. Joe's held on to beat Lehigh at home. So, um, yeah.

I actually watched the second half of Sixers-Celtics Friday night--sans Iverson. Surprisingly entertaining and they actually played pretty well and won. Also, Sheed got tossed with two T's in the first half and had to be restrained by half the Celtics bench when he got tossed. What a complete stooge. Every time I think he's done amusing me with his childish, boorish behavior, he comes through with a stunt like that.
Anyway, this Speights guy looks really good. He should easily play the bulk of the minutes at center and Dalembert should be sent to Siberia or the wilds of his native Canada. I don't care how much he makes, let's not compound the mistake by starting the guy. It was Speights' first game back from injury and he played great. I could see him being a potential headcase down the road, but he has alot of ability. His postgame interview with Zumoff and Easy Ed was tough to get through without closed-captioning. Sweet Jesus!!! Gotta love the "student"-athletes the University of Florida churns out.
Brand has also been very spry off the bench lately. And this Holliday guy looks like a keeper as well. Wait, what's this? Are the Sixers becoming watchable again??? I thought so, just for a second, until they lost at home to the Clip-Joint the very next night. Wow. Sixers-Clippers in the midst of a blizzard!!! NBA Basketball, it's fantastic!!! I'm surprised anyone showed up for that game. Oh, also, the Sixers play no defense whatsoever, and it doesn't appear they ever will. And fuggetaboutit when Iverson is on the court. It takes 4 on 5 to a new level. It's like they're trying to kill off a power play or something.

Choppy Eagles game, but a win is a win. Actually was closer than it should've been. The Niners had no chance. Coming across the country on a short week after playing on MNF. If that Walter guy didn't fumble down inside the Eagles 10, it could be a whole different ballgame. This of course was after Reid's incomprehensible decision to go for it on 4th down from his own 30!! Stunning even for him. It's dumb even when Belichick does it, and he has 4 rings. The defense was better I guess. Couldn't be any worse. Tony Siragusa, the fat moron that stands on the field and screams dumb comments/observations every minute or so, said the Eagles defense was "unbelievable". Let's calm down. I'm pretty sure they were going up against Alex Smith.
Does Asante Samuel irk anyone else? I know he makes alot of plays (although that fumble recovery was all Sheldon Brown, he just fell on it). His "tackling" is horrifically bad. How bout when he completely whiffed on that tackle? What should've been a 3 yard gain turned into a 30 yard gain. Gambles a ton too. Can't have that against competent teams or you'll get burnt. Look at the Giants game. I know he's a good CB, but he annoys me sometimes. And stop dancing after you fall on a fumble!!!

Is anyone else giddy that the wheels are starting to come off Favre and the Vikings? Brad Childress is wound tighter than Reid's belt. Crazy that the Birds could possibly move ahead of them in playoff positioning. 4th and 26 game punts thrown up by Favre, here we come! It's a shame snowball-throwing fans didn't storm the booth and bombard Kenny Albert (Son of Gay Back-Biter) and "Moose" (Moose....Christ) Johnston with snowballs. Two jackasses.


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'04 Hawks are SI's Team of the Decade

Si.com

BEST SINGLE-SEASON TEAM: Saint Joseph's, 2004
St. Joe's didn't quite pull off a championship (losing to Oklahoma State in the Elite Eight), but the Hawks, led by incandescent point guard Jameer Nelson, became the first team to complete a perfect regular season since UNLV in 1991.

Wow not bad for a little Big 5 school. That team was fun to watch. Not to rain on their parade but the weak A-10 played a part in them finishing undefeated. It was still a huge accomplishment though
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Rant by R.H.

Glen Miller out at Penn. Can't say I'm surprised.


Two good Big 5 games the last few days. St. Joe's-Nova was surprisingly competitive. By far the best St. Joe's played all year. But in the end, they tried to run with Nova and gave up 95 points. The overrating of Martelli continues unabaded. I must say, Nova probably wouldn't have won without Taylor King. I wanted to hate him, because you know, he's a Dukie, but he was clutch as hell. Pretty impressive for a kid from California in his first game in the hellish Palestra. Way better than he was when he was a freshman at Duke. Not that he got a ton of time back then, but he was just a mindless chucker who rarely came inside the 3 point line (like me when I play now). But now, he got boards and even created some things. Sweet lefty stroke doesn't hurt either.

By the way, that Hilliard guy on St. Joe's had a poor man's Laettner game going for a while. Perfect from the field and the line. I think he finally missed a shot from the field. Nova hit 29 straight foul shots in the second half. Nuff said. Good job by ESPN having Rafftery do the game. He just "gets" the Big 5. Probably the only ESPN analyst you can say that about. I also love when, after an iffy walk call on Nova, he said, "I don't comment on travelling calls on Villanova anymore." (obviously referring back to the '04 Sweet 16 game against Carolina when that phantom walk was called on Nova.....costing them the game. Still hurts). Of course, this comment was met by awkward silence from the clueless play-by-play guy.

Temple!! I can't say I was too shocked that they beat Nova yesterday. Luckily I caught like the last 15 minutes or so. For some reason, it was buried on some CBS College Sports station that too a GPS for me to find it. Disgrace that Comcast Sportsnet didn't carry it. I guess it would've messed up their 9 hour Eagles pregame. We wouldn't want to miss Rendell praising Donavan again.
Anyway, Juan Fernandez was a revelation! Pepe with a jump shot!! The guy was unconscious!! Knocked down like three 3's in a row right after I turned it on. I'm not saying he's better than Pepe now, but he could be someday. With him, Brooks, and Lavoy Allen, they have three really nice players. Allen was a madman controlling the paint down the stretch. I also can't believe he only had 3 assists. I swear I saw 4 just while I was watching. Love his game, he just needs to play with a fire under his ass like that alot more. They look like a tournament team right now (should've beaten G'Town too, oh well). That win will look huge come March. Also, that Kansas game on 1/2 just became much more interesting.

Not a bad loss at all for Nova. Might not be the worst thing in the world. And if they had to lose, why not to another city team. Game obviously meant alot more to Temple. Thought King (my new favorite player) probably should've been more aggresive in looking for his shot. Down the stretch, only Reynolds was being aggressive. Nova will be fine. Redding will help them when he comes back soon.....if he's clean. Oh yeah, Lappas was the analyst for the game!! Horrific New Yawk accent was more evident than ever ("Derrick Jeetuh!!!!"). And that lisp...ugh.... the mic was soaked by game's end. Isn't it embarrassing for him to do Nova games now? ("Hey Steve, here's that program you ruined!"). Just sayin'.

LaSalle stayed close to Kansas for a few minutes. Ugh. Loathe Kansas and Self. Speaking of loathesome coaches. I heard after the UConn-Kentucky game last week that Calipari and Calhoun hate each other. I guess it goes back to the days when Calipari was at UMass and they for some reason never played each other. Two assholes.

Wild Eagles game to say the least. Although I've seen better defense at my Ryan's toddler soccer games. Atrocious tackling on both sides.
DeSean Jackson....my God. I mean, I could do without all the showboating, but this guy is outrageous. It's rare to see a guy in the NFL that is just that much faster than everyone else. That punt return was straight out of the schoolyard. It was beautiful how he toyed with the Giants on that play, and it was even better because it brought out the Coughlin "Rocky's Trainer Mickey" face. Jackson should probably get the ball more (and yes, I subscribe to the theory--started by me-- that McNabb doesn't throw to him more because he doesn't want him to become a bigger star. Too late. See: T.O.). For as much as I blast him, Reid was pretty good. Sure there was the requisite blown challenge, but whatever. Some great play calls. Now let's all spray Bactine in our eyes as we think about the next 4 years with him still here.

It's a known fact that the Giants season-ticket holders despise any games that don't start at 1PM. 8:30 starts are their most hated of course there most hated. (65,000 70 year-olds with their thermoses and bologna sandwiches-- it's a bunch of Morty Seinfelds-- they're ready for bed by halftime. "If we're gonna be here till all hours of the night, can we at least order some food?"). So that made the win even sweeter. I'm sure they're just getting home right about now.

NFC East is setting up nice. Dallas with their annual December swan-dive. Stupid stadium. Birds are in good shape. I can see the NFC Championship Game loss coming from a mile away...

I think Wes Welker is my favorite player in the NFL right now. That's one tough honkey. Love watching him play. Speaking of the Pats, I have Randy Moss on my fantasy team. I'm glad he picked my bye week to quit on his team. Shades of Oakland and the horrible end in Minnesota. F the Pats. Also, last Feb. when I was in Vegas I took the Chargers to win the Super Bowl this year. So come on, Bolts!!! My two others were homer bets just missed-- Nova to win it all (stupid UNC) and the Phils to win the World Series (*%#$$*$^*^$&*%@^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Alright, I have a Seinfeld Quizzo to prepare for....



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PSU takes on Temple

PSU heads into North Philly as the 5-2 Nits take on the 5-2 Temple Owls. Taylor Battle leads the Lions in scoring (20.1), assists (3.6) and rebounds (6). Penn State has not been very impressive so far this season although they did knock off Virginia on the road. The got hammered by UNC Wilmington (ugh) and lost to Tulane (ouch).

Ryan Brooks leads the Owls in scoring (13.6) and Lavoy (don't call me Larry) Allen leads the team in boards (9.6)

DW and rare reader and almost never contributor, Moose, will be in attendance after enjoying some of the local North Philly watering holes. Heard its a beautiful area. Expecting Temple to roll in this one.
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Pre-Turkey Thoughts

From friend of DW R.H.

It's tough to get a read on much in college hoops in Novemeber. Preseason college polls/rankings are completey useless. Nova has been winning, haven't seen any of them, but they seem to be a bit overrated right now. Almost lost to George Mason on a neutral floor. They should be good come February though. Same old story with them. No size whatsoever. Although they say Pena is playing really well. Corey Fisher, now a junior and extremetly talented, still makes me nervous when he has the ball in key moments.

St. Joe's is bad. Will be a tough year for them. Needing OT to beat Drexel in your home opener is never a good sign. So much for those "great" recruiting classes after the Nelson/West era.
Penn is abominable. Should that guy still have his job? As soon as Dunphy left, the program went in the shitter.

Word is Lasalle should actually be decent. Once every 17 years ain't bad. It's all been downhill ever since Speedy left the cupboard bare to go coach high school girls again, followed by Billy Hahn's drunkeness and various rapes.

Temple is kind of intriguing. This Lavoy Allen guy is really good. Could be the best player in the city if he wants to be. Can score and rebound, has touch, smart, and an excellent passer. Completely outplayed Monroe on Georgetown. Seems like he just needs to play with more intensity on a consistent basis.

Nationally, I've seen Gonzaga a few times and they look pretty good. Not pretty and soft like they usually are. They look tough, still have Bolden, and have a bunch of giants down low! If there's a God, Kansas, Michigan State, and Carolina won't win it all. Actually, Carolina won't get a sniff of the Final 4 this year. F Kentucky too and that shitbag Calipari.

What can be said about the Sixers except they are thoroughly depressing and basically unwatchable? Brand seems like a good guy and a hard worker, but let's face it, he's been a Webber-esque bust up to this point. I don't see much evidence of this vaunted Eddie Jordan Princeton offense. Unless Princeton now has guys (see: Lou Williams and Iguodala) that dribble around until the shot-clock is about to expire and then jack up hopeless 25-footers.

Now let's all sit around tomorrow afternoon and watch the terrible, terrible games the NFL will subject us to. I know, for some reason, we're saddled with Detroit. When and why did that become a tradition again? But there is absolutely no excuse for Dallas-Oakland!!! That was a terrible game on paper when the schedule came out, and a terrible game now.
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'09-'10 LaSalle Explorers

2008-2009: 18-13, 9-7 (1-0 so far)

Last Conference Title: 1991-92 (MAAC) Never won A-10

Key Losses: F/C Vernon Goodridge

Key Additions: C Aaric Murray, G Parrish Grant, G T.T. Carey, C Devon White

Projected Starting Five:
G Rodney Green, Sr. 17.8 pts
C Aaric Murray, Fr. *17.5
F Jerrell Williams, Jr. 6.4
F Kimmani Barrett, Sr. 11.8
F Yves Mekongo Mbala, Sr. 10.4


Backcourt: Rodney Green leads the way as one of four seniors looking to bring this team all the way from the basement to the NCAA Tournament. Green may battle Scottie Reynolds among others as the favorite to win the Big 5 player of the year. He got off to a nice start against Hampton scoring 23 pts on 8-16 shooting and 4-5 from three point range. Ruben Guillandeaux and Barrett will also log significant minutes as returning starters who averaged double digits last year.

Frontcourt: Freshman Aaric Murray shocked the college basketball world by choosing LaSalle over high profile Big East schools, Villanova and West Virginia as well as Temple and St. Joes. Yves Mekongo Mbala was a double digit scorer last year who can contribute. He and Murray each scored 16 points in the opener.

Player to Watch: Aaric Murray: Rodney Green is the best player but Murray will have to step up to provide the inside game and take some of the scoring burden off of Green.

Prediction: NCAA Berth. Picked in the preseason to finish 4th behind Dayton, Xavier and Richmond. DW Picks the Explorers to finish 3rd and to receive an at-large bid.

Next Up: LaSalle takes on the Gamecocks of South Carolina tonight in the Charleston Classic.

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'09-'10 Temple Owls

2008-09: 22-12, 11-5. (1-1 so far)

Last Ivy Title: 2008. 2X Defending Conference Champ

Key Losses: G Dionte Christmas

Key Freshmen: F Rahir Jefferson, F Carmel Bouchman, G Khalif Wyatt

Projected Starting Five:
C Lavoy Allen, Jr. 10.9 ppg
F Michael Eric, So. 2.7 ppg
G Ryan Brooks, Sr. 10.6 ppg
G Luis Guzman, Sr. 2.1 ppg
G Juan Fernandez, So. 5.5 ppg


Backcourt:
This team is searching for scorers to replace the 3X Atlantic 10 scoring champ Dionte Christmas. Sr. Ryan Brooks scored 10.6 per game last year playing in the shadow of Christmas. He must step up this year. After scoring 23 in the opener against Delaware, he came up small against the Hoyas, shooting 2-14 for 6 points. Pepe Sanchez, er, Juan Fernandez and Luis Guzman will have much roles expanded roles.

Frontcourt:
If this team has a Tourney run in them, it is because Lavoy Allen will take them there. Fran Dumphy called him out on A-10 Media Day: "If Lavoy was a hard worker, we’d be in much better shape than we are,” said Dumphy, “He just kind of gives you what he’s got.” (Bigfivepost) He has to become a dominant force inside for the Owls. Early averages on 10.5 and 14.5 for Allen.

Player to Watch: Lavoy Allen: Preseason All-conference player must step up and account for much of what Christmas left behind.

Prediction: Encouraging performance, almost knocking off #19 G'town the other night. Unless they can run the table in the A-10 tourney for the 3rd straight year, it looks as if the Owls will be just outside the bubble come tournament time. NIT


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'09-'10 Penn Quakers

2008-09: 10-18, 6-8. (0-2 so far this year)

Last Ivy Title: 2007

Key Losses: Harrison Gaines, So.

Key Freshmen: Carson Sullivan, F Sean Mullan, F Brian Fitzpatrick, Tommy Eggelson, Malcolm Washington

Projected Starting Five:
G Tyler Bernardini, Jr. 13.7
G Zack Rosen, So. 8.1
G Darren Smith, Sr. 4.2
F Jack Eggleston, Jr. 9.6
C Andreas Schreiber, Sr. 5.5


Backcourt:
The guards will have to carry this team if they hope to compete. The last two Big 5 rookies of the year start. Tyler Bernardini led the team in scoring as a sophomore and Zack Rosen led the Ivy in assists as a Frosh. Smith returns after a 2 year absence recovering from a kneecap. Smith and Rosen both struggled in the opener against Penn State but Smith answered with 21 against Villanova. Bernardini was held scoreless against 'Nova. Penn will not win if he does not score.

Frontcourt:
Andres Schreiber returns after seperating his shoulder. Jack Eggelson averaged about 10 and 6 last year. Freshman Brian Fitzpatrick broke a backboard while throwing one down in practice. Honestly, there is not much here.

Player to Watch:
Tyler Bernardini: By far Penn's best player has struggled early but will be a key player in conference play in Penn wants to compete in the Ivy.

Prediction: It looks like Cornell will run away with the Ivy this year. They were picked 3rd and that seems like a fair slot for them. If they can improve playing a tough non-conference schedule, they could surprise. They must improve at home, 3-11 last year, 1-6 in the Ivy.

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Friday Night Hoops

St. Joe's (-3) opens a new era tonight when Drexel comes to the new fieldhouse in an early season big 5 match-up(Yeah but it should be). Neither team has high expectations this year but both are looking to jump off to a good start. Drexel wins a low scoring game, 48-42.

Penn (+15)travels to central Pennsylvania to take on the Nits at the Bryce Jordan Center in the season opener for both teams. PSU is coming off an NIT Championship, after getting snubbed on Selection Sunday and Penn is hoping to climb back into the IVY title picture. State takes it 68-50. Fairleigh Dickinson plays at Villanova. Cats take it 89-61



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'09-'10 Drexel Dragons

2008-2009 :15-14, (10-8 Colonial Athletic Association)

Key Losses: Scott Rodgers, Tramayne Hawthorne,

Key Additions: F/C Daryl McCoy, G/F Derrick Thomas, G Shannon Givens

Projected Starting Five:
G Jamie Harris, Junior 8.1 PPG
G Gerald Colds, Junior 9.0 PPG
F Samme Givens, Senior 5.6 PPG
F Leon Spencer, Senior 6.5 PPG
F Evan Neisler, Senior. 7.8 PPG


Backcourt: The loss of Scotty Rodgers (last season's leading scorer) and Tray Hawthorne will definitely hurt the Dragons offensively this season, but they will be returning Jamie Harris and Gerald Colds to fill the scoring void. Harris and Colds don't have the size that Drexel's backcourt has had in years past (Rogers/Mejia), but their speed and scoring ability will be valuable. Off the bench, New York City recruiter extraordinaire Coach Tony Chiles worked his magic again to bring in guards Chris Fouch (red-shirt last season with ACL tear) to provide another scoring threat and Derrick Thomas (not THAT Derrick Thomas) to bring size to the backcourt. Thomas is said to be a nasty 3pt shooter but although he is officially listed as a guard, his 6-foot-4 frame will give him the ability to post up the smaller guards in the CAA. The final piece of the backcourt puzzle is Shannon Givens. The little brother of Drexel forward Samme Givens, Shannon is a smaller/quicker version of Samme, but will most likely not get significant playing time in his freshman season.

Frontcourt: Seniors Even Neisler, Leon Spencer and Kenny Tribbett are will rotate in the power forward and center positions. A former Boston College transfer, Neisler finally developed the 15-foot jump shot last year that we have all been waiting for and that has opened up his game significantly. Undersized 6-foot-5 sophomore forward Samme Givens may not be a pure scoring threat but should once again improve on his already impressive freshman year rebounding numbers (Givens led the CAA in offensive rbs/game last season). Newcomer Darly McCoy, a 6-foot-9 270 lb freshman, will be an interesting player to watch purely because of his size. Looking more like a defensive tackle than a power forward, McCoy could provide an inside presence the Dragons have been sorely lacking in recent years. He hasn't stepped on the court yet, but rumor has it that his footwork and mobility are still a work in progress.

Player to Watch: A could like a group of players in this section but the main player to watch this season will be Kenny Tribbett. A highly touted F/C from Chester has, to this point unfortunately, not lived up to expectations. At 6-foot-9 and 240 lbs, Tribbett was expected to provide the inside void left by Chaz Crawford and Frank Elegar two years ago. Last season, Tribbett averaged only 2.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg . Bruiser will still give Tribbett playing time in his senior season but in order to keep that playing time, he must provide more of a spark than last year.

Games to Watch: The first game to watch is this upcoming Tuesday's 8am game against Niagara. Yes, that's right…I said AM, not PM. The Dragons are playing this game as part of an ESPN 24-hour basketball marathon for the second year in a row.

Drexel plays two games against top-5 ranked Wildcats team in the non-conference schedule. On December 2nd, the Dragons head to the Pavilion to play Villanova. In their last meeting at the Pavilion, the Dragons surprised 'Nova in a 81-76 win in '06. Please note that this victory by Drexel was directly in the middle of Villanova's much publicized 15-game Big 5 undefeated streak from '05-'08.

Another major game to watch is the Dragons game at Rupp Arena in Kentucky on December 22nd. Bruiser coached under Calipari at UMass, but both stayed close even after the reigns were handed to Bru in the midst of Calipari's first of two serious recruiting scandals. Kentucky will most likely dominate the Dragons, but it will be cool to see the Dragons paly at Rupp against a title contender.

Prediction: The CAA is returning most of its talent from last season and Drexel is picked by the media to finish 7th in the league. Drexel will finish 18-15 and finish in 4th place in the CAA. They'll be knocked out by Old Dominion in the semi-finals of the CAA tournament and get an NIT bid. Contrary to what Penn State fans believe, what they do after getting that NIT bid makes absolutely no difference at all.

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'09-'10 Penn State Nittany Lions

2008-09: 27-11, 10-8, NIT

Key Losses: F Jamelle Cornley, G Danny Morrissey, G Stanley Pringle

Key Freshmen: G Tim Frazier, G Jermaine Marshall

Projected Starting Five:
Talor Battle, Junior, Guard, 16.7 points per game
Chris Babb, Sophomore, Guard, 2.8 points per game
David Jackson, Junior, Forward, 4.5 points per game
Jeff Brooks, Junior, Forward, 3.3 points per game
Andrew Jones, Junior, Forward, 6.2 points per game

Backcourt:
This team is essentially Talor Battle, and then everyone else. The junior guard is on the Naismith Award Watch List for 2010 after an impressive ’09 campaign, and is the only member of the team who averaged more than 7 points per game last season. Danny Morrissey, PSU’s sixth man from last year is gone this year, leaving a big hole in the backcourt for sophomores Cammeron Woodyard and Chris Babb to fill.

Frontcourt:
PSU is bringing back three players who started at least twelve games last season, and 6-9 sophomore Andrew Jones should step up to lead the group. Jones averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg in his freshman year, and PSU will need him to become a consistent scorer for the team to succeed in the coming season.

Player to Watch: Talor Battle, 5-11 PG, 16.7 ppg 5.0 apg in 2009. See above. He’s nasty.

Prediction: I’m saying they make it to the Big Dance this year. They got screwed last season - this is their year.
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'09-'10 Villanova Wildcats

2008-2009: 30-8, 13-5, Final Four

Key Losses: F Shane Clark, F Dante Cunningham

Key Additions: G/F Dominic Cheek, F Taylor King, F Mouphtaou Yarou

Projected Starting Five:
Corey Fisher, Junior, Guard, 10.8 points per game
Scottie Reynolds, Senior, Guard, 15.2 points per game
Corey Stokes, Junior, Guard, 9.3 points per game
Mouphtaou Yarou, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Antonio Pena, Junior, Forward, 5.1 points per game

Fresh off a Final Four appearance last season, Nova comes into this year with one of the top backcourts in all of College Basketball. Scottie Reynolds' decision to stay in college for the time being is a huge boost to this squad, but he's not their only threat with the ball in his hands. Big East Sixth Man of the Year Corey Fisher should improve upon an impressive Sophomore season, and Corey Stokes has proven to be deadly from behind the arc. The absence of Reggie Redding's defense until December will be a blow to the team, but the Corey's should be able to handle the load in the meantime.

In the frontcourt, Antonio Pena has some big shoes to fill with the loss of Dante Cunningham, and he'll have to improve on his 5.1 ppg 4.2 rpg from last year to help the team out down the stretch. The additions of Mouphtaou Yarou and former Dukie Taylor King will take some of the load off Pena, and Yarou looks to be a superstar in the making.

Player to Watch: Mouphtaou Yarou. At 6'10" 250lbs, Yarou has the opportunity to make an enormous impact as a freshman on this squad. As Luke Winn of SI.com put it, "If he's a passable rebounder/defender in the post as a freshman, they'll contend in the Big East; if he's a stellar rebounder/defender and a double-digit scorer, they'll be in the thick of the national-title race." Good stuff.

Prediction: Big East Title. Another Final Four appearance.
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Macon named interim coach at Binghamton

Temple and A-10 all-time leading scorer, Mark Macon has been given the job of Binghamton interim head coach after Kevin Broadus was placed on an indefinite paid leave of absence for having improper contact with prospective recruits. Six Binghamton players were kicked off the team a couple of weeks back — just days after point guard Emanuel Mayben was arrested for selling crack cocaine. Then, in a bizarre twist, the university subsequently dumped a professor who had publicly criticized the team to the New York Times, which was then followed by the resignation of the school’s athletic director. (bigfivepost)

The Binghamton Bearcats went 23-9 last season and won the America East regular-season and tournament titles. They were 13-3 in league play and won a school-record 11 straight games before losing to Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Broadus, a former Georgetown Assistant has not been the best judge of character over the years.

"Who knows how any of these kids are going to turn out? Look back at Georgetown. Allen Iverson has been a model citizen in America. He's taken care of his family and is playing well in the N.B.A. We're in the business of giving kids opportunities to better themselves in life. That's my job." (NYTIMES) (deadspin)

Read that again.

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Zeke opens against UNC (or Ohio State)

Isiah Thomas begins his college basketball coaching career against the defending champs (or maybe Ohio State) on November 9th. FIU hired Thomas to a 5 year deal in April. Florida International athletic director Pete Garcia, told FOXSports.com that he intends to honor the contract in which FIU was slated to play against Ohio State in Columbus on Nov. 9 in the 2K Sports Classic.
Garcia said he found out through the release of North Carolina's schedule by the ACC on Tuesday afternoon that FIU would open against defending national champion North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The game against UNC will probably win out due to it being televised on ESPNU.

Florida International gave the former Knicks coach and president a chance to restore the reputation he built as a Hall of Fame player and tarnished through a series of embarrassments in New York.

Thomas has been recruiting very well, getting a 6-8 forward Dominique Ferguson to committ. Ferguson has been rated as high as the 8th best player in the class of 2010.

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