The Big 5 might end up being the Big 1 this season.
After the Big 5 teams and Drexel held open practices at the Palestra on Saturday as part of the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer program, it is clear that Saint Joseph's, ranked No. 18 in the ESPN/USA Today preseason poll, will be heavily favored to defend its Big 5 title.
St. Joe's has two key advantages over the other four schools in the Big 5 -- experience and senior all-American point guard Jameer Nelson.
"Any time you have an all-American at point guard, it jumps your level," St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli said. "We have a lot of experience and a lot of depth."
Temple, Villanova and La Salle are particularly young.
The ever-colorful Temple coach John Chaney, who sported an eye patch, referred to himself as the "one-eyed Jack" on Saturday between expressing concerns over his team.
"We only have one senior," Chaney said. "We're extraordinarily young -- even younger than we were last year."
The Owls have eight underclassmen among 11 players.
"We lost four seniors and we lack experience," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "But what we lost in experience... we gained in youthful enthusiasm."
In Villanova's intrasquad scrimmage, junior forward Andreas Bloch played well and led "Team Cancer" to victory. At the end of the game, the scoreboard read "Cancer 16, Coaches 14."
This season will likely be a rebuilding year for La Salle as well.
"Our program is in the infant stages," Explorers coach Billy Hahn said. "We're trying to grow and we're making strides."
Nine of La Salle's 15 players are freshmen and sophomores, but among those underclassmen is sophomore guard Gary Neal, last season's Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Rookie of the Year.
Drexel lost its leading scorer, center Robert Battle, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Dragons' 71-62 victory over Penn last year.
Penn graduated forwards Koko Archibong and Ugonna Onyekwe, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year, as well as point guard Andrew Toole.
Despite the Red and Blue's graduations, Penn coach Fran Dunphy views the upcoming season optimistically.
"We're undefeated so far," Dunphy said. "St. Joe's obviously has everyone back, but each team [in the Big 5] has good returning players."
The Quakers return senior guard Jeff Schiffner, who led Division I last season in three-point shooting percentage (49.3) and junior starting guard Tim Begley.
In addition, Penn has four freshman recruits and two transfers -- juniors Eric Osmundson and Eric Heil.
"Both Erics are playing well," Dunphy said. "And I like all four of our freshmen."
But even with all of the returning players and new additions, it would be surprising if Penn was able to upset St. Joe's.
Nonetheless, Martelli believes that the Quakers will win the Ivy League.
"First of all you start with exceptional coaching, and Fran Dunphy is as good as you can be," Martelli said. "You have guys that are building on success -- whether they played or they didn't play, they had great success at Penn.
"I'd be shocked if Penn did not win the Ivy League."
