M. Hoops continues city battle

Penn men's basketball will play Drexel tonight in front of a Palestra crowd filled with Dragons and Quakers fans. If someone unfamiliar with college basketball stands at the corner of 33rd and Walnut streets tomorrow and witnesses 2,000 Drexel fans march from the Drexel campus to the Palestra, he would understand why most people agree that Philadelphia is the country's home for college basketball. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Palestra will resume its role as the home of college basketball in Philadelphia when Penn (6-8) hosts Drexel (6-8). After a close 58-52 loss last year to Drexel at the Palestra, Quakers coach Fran Dunphy feels this year's game will be just as exciting. "The Palestra is truly the finest college basketball atmosphere that anybody can find themselves in," Dunphy said. "Drexel is a well coached, pretty good basketball team that is ready to play." Although not a member of Philadelphia's Big 5 association, the Dragons have been one of the most successful teams over the past five years in the city of brotherly love. During that timespan, Drexel's coach Bill Herrion helped his team to more than 20 wins each season, earned three trips to the NCAA tournament and one birth in the National Invitational Tournament. "I have great respect for Bill," Dunphy said. "I have learned a lot from watching his teams. I try to study as much as I can about how teams close out games and prepare for games. I think I have learned a lot from Bill in that regard." Herrion still feels honored that Penn, St. Jos0eph's and La Salle have added the Dragons to their schedule in the past few years. Previous to last years meeting at the Palestra, the Quakers and Dragons had not met in the regular season for 68 years. "We tell our kids that this is a great opportunity," Herrion said. "You cannot put a price tag on a victory over a Big 5 team." Against inner city opponents this year, Penn is 0-1 with a 67-58 loss to Temple, and Drexel is 1-0 with a 75-70 victory over La Salle. Penn still has St. Joe's and La Salle left on its schedule, while Drexel plays St. Joe's next month. Playing Philadelphia teams during the regular season is something that the Quakers enjoy. Forward Paul Romanczuk and guards Matt Langel, Michael Jordan and Lamar Plummer are products of Philadelphia area basketball. "For the local guys that grew up in the area, it is something special," Langel said. "You grow up and you watch the Big 5. I remember my father bringing me over to the Palestra and watching a Big 5 game when I was younger." Romanczuk also remembers coming to many Big 5 and Drexel games during his childhood. His father, Doug, played basketball for Drexel from 1972-76. "As a youngster watching the Big 5 games, I know that these are very important games that the fans get up for," Romanczuk said. "In my mind this is as important as an Ivy League game." Along with being from the area, the Penn players also play summer basketball in Philly, including games against Drexel's players. Langel listed Drexel's Greg Gaffney, Bryant Coursey and Mike DeRocckis as those that he plays against and with all year long in Philadelphia. "Most of the guys from Drexel are from the area," Langel said. "You are playing for bragging rights." Drexel, a member of the America East Conference, has lost five out of their last six, including a 1-1 roadtrip this past weekend in Boston. After ending their four game losing streak with a 70-58 win against Northeastern, the Dragons lost to Boston University, 69-62, two days later. With a multitude of close losses, including a 58-56 heart-breaker against Princeton the day after Christmas, Herrion and the Drexel team are feeling the frustration and trying to learn from it. "This year through 14 games has probably been the biggest learning experience in my young coaching career," Herrion said. "I am learning about how to communicate with my players better." Herrion, trying not to denounce the ability of his team, also explains that Drexels' lack of success has come from their inexperience. The Dragons are a team without any seniors, four juniors and lack of leadership. "We are young," Herrion said. "I am not saying that as an excuse, but we are young. You cannot put a price tag on what veterans mean to your basketball team. We have got kids going through things for the first time." Scoring a career high 27 points in the loss to BU, 6'9" sophomore Joe Linderman has been the star of the Dragons this season. The 1996-97 America East Rookie of the Year has averaged 17.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. "He is only 14 games into his sophomore year, but he has obviously proven that he is a good basketball player," Herrion said. "A lot of programs at our level don't have a legitimate inside guy -- that is what he does and that is what he brings to the table." The Quakers will use a combination of forwards Jed Ryan, George Mboya, Josh Sanger and Romanczuk. Penn will also have to watch Drexel's 6'2" junior guard Mike DeRocckis, averaging 15 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. The Penn men's basketball team comes into the game with a two game winning streak. The Quakers, prepared to revenge their loss to Drexel last season, defeated Lafayette and Bucknell last week. "We are happy that we won two games straight, but obviously we are not content with that," Romanczuk said. "In our minds we think that we can win out the rest of our games."

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