Turkey, USC awaits Men's Basketball

When the Penn men's basketball team sits down to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow evening, one thing each and every Quaker is sure to give thanks for is that the season starts Monday when Southern California visits the Palestra at 7 p.m. The consensus on the young team is the Quakers are eager for the regular season to begin after over a month of practice. "We're happy to get right into it and play a good team," senior forward Cedric Laster said. "Practice is getting messy. There have been some pretty nasty fouls going on because everyone just wants to get out and play for real." Last Saturday's scrimmage against the Russian Select team was helpful in giving the Quakers an indication of where further improvement is needed. "The scrimmage helped us very much," Penn coach Fran Dunphy said. "Lot's of guys saw significant minutes in a game situation. The shot selection was good the first half. But I was a little disappointed that we were up 18 with the ball and did not put the game away." Dunphy does feel that his troops need to tighten things up on the defensive end a bit more before the season tips off Monday. To that end, the Quakers spent a good portion of practice yesterday working on both the man-to-man and zone defensive sets. The same is expected when the Quakers gather this morning for a 6:30 a.m. practice. After getting Thanksgiving Day off to relax and spend time with family and friends, Penn will practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of the USC contest. Penn destroyed the Trojans two years ago in Los Angeles, 77-62, but none of those USC starters are still with the squad. Second-year coach Charlie Parker, who took over for the legendary George Raveling last year, has a youthful and athletic squad led by forward Jaha Wilson, guard Stais Boseman and 6-foot-11 JUCO transfer Avondre Jones. While the Quakers have not begun preparing for the Trojans in the form of watching films and running through sets, they are aware of the athletic team that will provide them their initial test of the 1995-96 campaign. "I'm not really familiar with anyone on their team," senior co-captain Tim Krug said. "I don't think they have anyone back that we saw much of two years ago. It will be a lot different than playing against those Russians, though. Come Monday, we'll be prepared." Someone Krug and the rest of the Quakers faithful hope is well prepared and rested is senior swingman Ira Bowman. Bowman's electrifying dunks and intense, in-your-face defense have been absent from practice for several days as a result of the flu. Bowman was running a considerable temperature yesterday, but Dunphy expects him back at practice Friday following a tasty home-cooked meal. Bowman's absence has been particularly tough on Krug. The two of them are the only ones on this year's roster who saw considerable time last season. The duo has tried to show the rest of the team what it takes to compete at the level the Quakers have over the past several seasons. "We're coming out to win all of our games," Krug said. "If we get a win, it will show teams around the country that we can play with anyone despite losing five starters from last year. Hopefully the fans will respond and we'll get plenty of support." The Quakers would gladly trade tomorrow's home-cooked meal for a roasting of the Trojans Monday night.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.