BY DONALD HUNT
College basketball has already provided some excitement for the fans in Philadelphia. The season is only a little more than a month old. However, there appears to be some great men and women’s basketball players among the six Division I basketball schools.
Right now, many of the city schools are playing non-conference and city series games trying to lay a foundation for regular season play next month. This is a time of year where coaches can evaluate the talent they have on their teams.
Moreover, it’s a time for bragging rights for the local schools in Philly. The Big 5 Classic Tripleheader for the men will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Wells Fargo Center. In the first game, Drexel will face Penn at 2 p.m. for fifth place. Villanova will battle Temple at 4:30 p.m. for third place. The championship game will feature La Salle and Saint Joseph’s at 7 p.m. The inaugural Women’s Big 5 Classic will be held at Villanova’s Finneran Pavilion on Friday, Dec. 6 with a tripleheader. La Salle will play UPenn for fifth place 3:30 p.m. Saint Joseph’s will face Drexel for third place at 5:45 p.m. Villanova will clash with Temple in the championship game at 8 p.m.
MEN
Villanova has been a little up and down with losses to Columbia, Saint Joseph’s, Virginia and Maryland. Kyle Neptune, Villanova head coach, is trying to pick things up before the start of the Big East schedule. Neptune has a tremendous player with 6-8 graduate student Eric Dixon who is one of the most dominant players in the city. Dixon averages 25.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a game. The Wildcats (4-4) other standouts are 6-5 senior guard Wooga Poplar (12.5 ppg., 6.3 rpg.) and 5-11 senior guard Jhamir Brickus (12.1 ppg., 4.5 apg). These three players could more than likely determine how well Villanova will do this season.
TEMPLE
Temple is looking to make some strides with its basketball program. Last season, the Owls finished the season with a losing record (16-20), but advanced to the American Athletic Conference finals. So far, Temple (4-3) has been playing solid basketball under head coach Adam Fisher.
The Owls are led by 6-2 senior guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. (22.1 ppg), the son of former Kentucky and NBA star Jamal Mashburn Sr., leads the team in scoring.
Temple in 83-75 loss against La Salle on 11/30. (Photos Jesse Gerber)
In addition to Mashburn’s scoring ability, the Owls will depend on 6-10 senior forward Steve Settle III (13.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and 6-6 sophomore guard from West Catholic Zion Stanford (10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) for their overall contributions.
SAINT JOSEPH’S
Saint Joseph’s has been playing some exciting basketball this season. The Hawks (5-2) will try to win the Big 5 classic title. Saint Joseph’s head coach Billy Lange has two special players with former Roman Catholic star and 6-2 sophomore guard Xzayvier Brown (16.0 ppg., 5.3 apg.) and 6-2 senior guard Erik Reynolds II (15.4 ppg., 3.0 apg.).
In the frontcourt, 6-9 junior forward Rasheer Fleming (13.4 ppg., 9.1 rpg) has given the Hawks a player who can shoot from the perimeter and go inside to get a basket. Lange has the talent to make a strong run in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
LA SALLE
La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy has the Explorers (6-2) playing at a high level. La Salle will get a chance to display its talent in the Big 5 championship game against Saint Joseph’s. The Explorers have received great play from 6-0 senior guard Corey McKeithan (19.0 ppg., 3,3 apg.) and 6-7 senior guard Jahlil White (12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and 6-9 junior forward Demetrius Lilley (8.9 ppg., 7.6 rpg.).
If La Salle can maintain its winning ways, the Explorers could be a team to watch in the A-10.
La Salle vs. Temple and in 71-68 win over Drexel on 11/16.(Photos /Kathy Leister & Ryan Nix for PSD
PENN
Penn seems to have a good group of players who are trying to establish themselves before heading into the Ivy League competition.
The Quakers (3-5) off to a slow start under head coach Steve Donahue will lean on 6-5 junior guard Ethan Roberts (17.7 ppg., 5.4 rpg.), 6-3 sophomore guard Sam Brown (11.2 ppg., 4.2 rpg.) and 5-11 junior guard Dylan Williams (8.3 ppg, 1.3 apg) to provide some ballhandling and scoring in the backcourt.
The Quakers’ non-conference schedule the Big 5 Classic which should help them prepare for the Ivy League. The league features some good teams such as Princeton, Yale, Brown and Cornell. Penn will get themselves ready to compete with the league’s best teams.
Penn in game vs. Villanova on 11/19. (Photos by Mike Nance for PSD)
DREXEL
The Coastal Athletic Association has some great teams – Towson, Charleston, UNC, Wilmington, and Hofstra. Drexel has the potential to be in the mix with some of the CAA’s best teams.
Zach Spiker, Drexel head coach, will bank on 6-6 junior guard Kobe Magee (16.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and 6-5 senior guard Yame Butler (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg.) to give some scoring and leadership. Drexel could have one of the biggest backcourts in the CAA. Magee and Butler have guided the Dragons to a 5-3 mark.
In the front court, Drexel has 6-8 junior forward Cole Hargrove (11.0 ppg., 2.8 apg) who can score, rebound and look for the open man. The Dragons have enough talent to make some noise in the CAA.
Drexel in game vs. La Salle on 11/16. ( Photos by Ryan Nix for PSD)
WOMEN
Villanova has one of the most successful women’s basketball programs in the city. The Wildcats (5-3) have been playing some great basketball. The team is led by 5-7 freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe who leads the Wildcats in scoring (17.0 ppg.), assists (4.7 apg.) and steals (1.9 spg.).
Villanova head coach Denise Dillon has a quality frontcourt player with 6-0 junior forward Denae Carter. She gives the Wildcats a nice presence around the basket. Carter averages 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game.
Of course, Villanova plays in the Big East with national powerhouse UConn, along with Creighton and Providence. Villanova will try to maintain its solid play once the regular league season begins.
TEMPLE
Temple will try to make an impact in the American Athletic Conference. The Owls (4-3) will have to battle South Florida, North Texas and Rice who look like the conference frontrunners.
Temple head coach Diane Richardson has a terrific 5-7 senior guard Tiarra East who can create her own shot. East leads the team in scoring (16.3 ppg.). She also averages 4.5 rebounds a game.
Temple in game vs. La Salle on 12/1. (Photos by Kathy Leister for PSD)
Up front, 6-1 senior forward Anissa Rivera (10.7 ppg., 9.2 rpg.) gives Temple a great post player. East and Rivera should provide a good inside-outside combination that should really help them offensively.
SAINT JOSEPH’S
Saint Joseph’s head coach Cindy Griffin has the Hawks playing quite well this season. The Hawks (5-2) have a well-balanced team. They have two outstanding forwards with 6-1 junior Talya Brugler (18.8 ppg., 7.0 rpg.) and 6-2 junior Laura Ziegler (18.7 ppg., 11.0 rpg.).
In the backcourt, Saint Joseph’s has three talented guards with 5-10 senior Mackenzie Smith (14.3 ppg., 3.2 apg.,) and 5-8 sophomore guard Gabby Casey (12.3 ppg., 5.2 rpg.) to help control the pace of the game. Overall, the Hawks have all the necessary pieces in place. Saint Joseph’s should have a good year.
St. Joe's in victory over Villanova on 12/9/23. (Photos by Geanine Jamison)
LA SALLE
La Salle head women’s basketball coach Mountain MacGillivray will try to establish some momentum during the preseason before they get into league play in the A-10. The Explorers (4-4) will count on their backcourt 5-11 sophomore Ashleigh Connor (11.4 ppg., 5.8 rpg.) and Joan Quinn (9.0 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 2.0 apg.) to provide the team with a scoring punch.
La Salle’s 6-0 senior forward Mackenzie Daleba (5.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg.) could be a key player. Daleba could give them a lift with her strong play inside.
DREXEL
Drexel brought a lot of excitement to women’s basketball in the city last season. The Dragons (2-3) captured the CAA championship. The defending champions have a chance to win another title this season.
Drexel head coach Amy Mallon has a sensational all-around player with Amaris Baker (17.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg.). Baker is one of the top players in the CAA. In the frontcourt, 6-2 sophomore forward Deja Evans (11.2 ppg., 6.0 rpg.) gives the Dragons a good inside player. Evans played a significant role in Drexel’s title run.
La Salle in game vs. Temple on 12/1. (Photos by Kathy Leister for PSD)
Drexel in game vs. Temple on. (Photos by Jesse Gerber)
PENN
Stina Almqvist is one of the top players in the Ivy League. Almqvist, a 6-1 senior guard, will be a major player for Penn is so many areas. She is the team leader in scoring (18.3 ppg.) and rebounding (8.3 rpg.). Penn’s head coach Mike McLaughlin will look to keep the ball in her hands. Penn has another bright spot in the backcourt with 5-7 sophomore guard Mataya Gayle (11.2 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 3.5 apg.) who seems to be making a strong impact. The Quakers (6-3) will leave preseason on a high note in the Big Five Classic.