M. hoops might face Auburn in December

The quakers are a few minor scheduling changes away from a date with last year's SEC Champions. Last March, Penn lost to a Southeastern Conference opponent in the NCAA Tournament, as Florida knocked off the Quakers, 75-61. But this December, Penn might tip off against an even tougher SEC foe -- 1998-99 SEC Champions Auburn. Scheduling conflicts may prevent a matchup of the Tigers and Quakers, but, according to Penn coach Fran Dunphy, there is a very real possibility that Penn will face the Tigers in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum on December 11. In addition, a tentative schedule released by Auburn last Thursday includes a game at 1 p.m. on December 11, with the opponent to be announced. Auburn assistant coach Shannon Weaver is less convinced of a meeting between the Tigers and Quakers, however. "[Penn's] name has been thrown out in a game we've been planning," Weaver said. "But nothing is set yet." A date with Auburn was made possible by an Ivy League ruling last week that allowed Ivy men's basketball teams to add a 27th game to their schedules. Previously, the league had restricted its members to 26 games. Instead of trying to schedule a lesser opponent to pad its victory total, Dunphy is trying to fill the spot on Penn's schedule with a quality opponent. "Everybody's philosophy on scheduling is so different," Dunphy said. "I think ours is to try to make our non-conference schedule as interesting as we possibly can. Obviously this would be something very interesting and very rewarding, to play Auburn on some national TV scale." If Penn and Auburn did meet, it is likely that the game would be broadcast regionally, although there is a possibility for national coverage on ESPN or ESPN2. It would also mark the first time in history that the two schools have faced each other in basketball. Auburn compiled a 29-4 record last season, earning the No. 1 seed in the South Bracket of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers defeated Winthrop and Oklahoma State before losing in the Regional semifinals to Ohio State, 72-64. But Auburn will return four of its five starters for the 1999-2000 season, led by forward Chris Porter. The Tigers' senior led the team with 16.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Guards Scott Pohlman and Doc Robinson will also be back for Auburn this season. The two combined for 23.3 points per game, and Robinson dished out more than five assists per contest. But the Quakers might have most difficulty with Tigers' seven-footer Mamadou N'Diaye. The senior center, who will likely match up with Geoff Owens, averaged 7.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Auburn last faced an Ivy League team in 1981, when they defeated Columbia, 63-55. Overall, the Tigers are 3-0 against Ivy opponents, with two wins against Columbia and one against Dartmouth. Penn, meanwhile, has a 6-12 record against SEC opponents. The Quakers have lost to Alabama and Florida in the NCAA tournament, but defeated the Gators in the Fiesta Bowl Classic in December of 1996.