Quakers to open with two big tests

M. Hoops faces USC and Ohio St. When the final seconds ticked away in the Penn men's basketball team's heartbreaking 54-50 NCAA Tournament loss at the hands of Massachusetts last March at the Carrier Dome, Quaker players and fans alike all wondered what might have been if the team could have pulled off the impossible – a win in the Big Dance. But with no seniors on the squad, and a potentially weak Ivy League on the horizon, the Penn faithful knew that the Quakers would likely get their shot again in the tournament. Only days removed from the loss to the Minutemen, fans were eagerly awaiting the start of the 1993-94 campaign. Eight months later, that time has finally arrived. This Saturday, the Quakers kick off the new season against Pac-10 power Southern California at the LA Sports Arena (4 p.m. EST, WOGL 1210-AM). Then, only two nights later, Penn faces yet another nationally-acclaimed program, as the team travels to Columbus to face Ohio State at St. John Arena (7 p.m., WXPN 88.5-FM, WOGL). In the Trojans, the Quakers face a talented squad led by 6-7 junior forward Lorenzo Orr, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last year. Orr, who is a preseason all-American candidate, figures to give the Quakers a tough time inside. "Lorenzo does a great job of keeping the ball alive on the boards," USC coach George Raveling said. "I think Lorenzo has as much innate talent as anyone I've coached and that includes Harold Miner – really." In addition to Orr, the Trojans attracted the best recruiting class in the Pac-10, led by 6-11 freshman center Avondre Jones, a McDonald's High-School All-American. Jones, who should see significant playing time this season, will pose major problems for the Penn frontcourt rotation of junior center Eric Moore, junior forward Shawn Trice and sophomore forward Tim Krug. "[Jones] is one of the most athletic big men I've seen in a long time," Raveling said. "He is a great shot blocker and I love his ability to score down low. He gives us additional height and will be a definite presence in the middle." USC, which averaged more than 35 percent of its points from three-point range last season, lost both of its long-range shooters, Phil Glenn and Rodney Chatman, to graduation. Without question, the Quakers will have to concentrate and contain the Trojan front line to have a chance of leaving the City of Angels with a win. Similarly to USC, Ohio State also features a frontcourt that could give coach Fran Dunphy's troops nightmares. The Buckeye attack of course centers around 6-9 senior forward Lawrence Funderburke, who averaged 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 blocks a game last season. "Lawrence and [point guard] Jamie [Skelton] have been through it before," Buckeye coach Randy Ayers said. "They understand what it takes to win." "Funderburke carries the biggest notoriety in terms of what their team is about," Dunphy said. "He's an inside force we'll have to contend with. He can block shots, run the floor well as well as hit shots from the perimeter. And inside he's someone who we have to pay attention to." But Dunphy also stressed that the Quakers would be wrong to concentrate their efforts solely on Funderburke. "[Funderburke is] surrounded by a number of terrific athletes," Dunphy said. "He's one part of the puzzle that we're going to have to solve." But, unlike USC, the Ohio State team features an explosive backcourt duo. Leading the way is the 6-2 Skelton, who averaged 14.2 points and 3.0 assists a game last year. Complementing Skelton is 6-1 sophomore Greg Simpson, who averaged 9.6 points a game last year en route to winning the 1993 Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. The Buckeyes also feature lightning-quick swingman Derek Anderson, who as a sophomore last year averaged over 10 points a game. "With our quickness and shooting ability, we should be a good offensive team," Ayers said. "Plus, our team is a year older now and I think we have a better understanding of how important patience is when it comes to running an offense." The only weakness in the Ohio State repertoire is its rebounding, as the team was among the poorest on the boards in the Big Ten last year. This is good news for the Quakers, who otherwise would have trouble matching up with the Buckeyes' bigger frontcourt – especially Funderburke. While these two early-season showdowns will be tough encounters for the Quakers, last season in games against New Mexico and Massachusetts Penn showed that it could hang in against national powers away from the friendly confines of the Palestra. And although too much weight shouldn't be placed on these games since they are so early in the season, one thing these contests will provide is experience for the more important games down the road. Namely, the ones that are played in March.