For the first time since the 1990-91 season, all five members of the Big 5 will play each other. The Big 5 is back. For fans of Philadelphia men's college basketball, no sweeter words have been heard than those uttered last April 22 by Big 5 Executive Director Paul Rubincam, when he announced that the athletic directors from La Salle, Penn, St. Joseph's, Temple and Villanova had agreed to return to the full four-game round-robin men's basketball slate for the 1999-2000 season. This announcement fully revived the unofficial conference, which was first signed into existence in November 1954 by the presidents of the five Philadelphia schools. For 31 years, each of the five programs played one another once a year in front of roaring crowds at the Palestra during Friday night doubleheaders with the prize of "City Champion" at stake. But beginning with the '85-86 campaign, Big 5 games moved to each school's home court, and in '91-92, the format changed to two official games instead of four. This was done mainly to accommodate Villanova -- the Big East added two more league games per season and the Wildcats were compelled to cut back on their schedule somewhere. Despite the Wildcats' defection, the other four teams continued to face off for as many city games as possible. Yet no true city champion could be crowned based on just two official games per team. For instance, Penn went 3-1 in Philadelphia hoops last winter, beating Temple, 73-70, La Salle, 62-58, and St. Joseph's, 66-58, before losing to Villanova, 74-63. But because the Explorers and the Wildcats were the Quakers' two "official" Big 5 games, Penn technically finished 1-1, tied for second behind Villanova (2-0). Now this problem has been remedied. The Big East cut two games from its league slate and the NCAA approved a 28th game per team. With new space in its schedule, the Wildcats agreed to rejoin a full round-robin Big 5. In early 2000, Philly will have its first true champion in nearly a decade. And fans, players and coaches alike are ecstatic. "I think the return of the Big 5 is great. To play a round-robin again and now have a true champion -- that's phenomenal," La Salle coach Speedy Morris said. "I'm really happy it's happening, but it's not in [the Palestra] and it's not the way it used to be -- with one side cheering for one team and the other side cheering for the other team, streamers, mascots beating on each other. But the fact that we're still playing and that games will be sold out is great." The consensus across the country, not just the city, is that the No. 7 Temple Owls (24-11, 13-3 Atlantic 10 in '98-99) are good. Very good. Talk has been spreading like wildfire that this may finally be the year for Owls coach John Chaney to make it to the Final Four. The 67-year-old coach has been one win away on four occasions, including this past March. Chaney, with 605 career victories, is more concerned, though, with having his players play their game and not try to play to high national expectations. "What you have to do is make sure that the youngsters understand a little bit more about having some balance in the way they think and not trying to live up to other's expectations -- that's the worst thing that happens to you," Chaney said. "Because when you're trying to live up to somebody's expectations, you will fail them. You can win 1,000 games but the one you lost is the one they'll hold you accountable for." Returning every player except shooting guard Rasheed Brokenborough, the Owls are typically loaded, and typically favored. Senior power forward Lamont Barnes (12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds) and senior point guard Pepe Sanchez (8.2 points, 5.8 assists) -- the returning Big 5 Player of the Year -- are the Owls floor leaders. Junior Mark Karcher (13.4 points), who dropped 30 pounds to get in shape in the offseason, also returns a devastating game to the small forward position. The key for the Owls will be improved shooting. Temple shot only 41.3 percent from the field a year ago, including 24-for-67 (36 percent) in a 73-70 loss to Penn. The return of playmaker Lynn Greer, who missed all but six games in '98-99, and shooter Quincy Wadley (9.2 points) make the Owls a legitimate outside threat. Still, as every college basketball coach, player and fan across the country knows, the key to Temple is the matchup zone. The Owls' tenacious defense limited opponents to 58 points per game last year and promises to give their opposition fits once again over the upcoming months. "I don't think that they're up to snuff defensively right now," Chaney said, typically modest despite leading his team to NCAA berths in 15 of his16 years at Temple. "We're concentrating a lot more on trying to get some balance on the floor, and this is spending a lot of time with the big guys, and trying to get them to give us some effort underneath." With eight of 12 non-conference games against NCAA Tournament teams -- including trips to No. 1 Cincinnati, No. 28 Indiana and No. 27 Wake Forest and a home date with No. 23 Maryland -- the Owls will be battle-tested come March. A team on the rise in Philadelphia is La Salle (13-15, 8-8 Atlantic 10 in '98-99). In their fourth season in the Atlantic 10, the Explorers broke out of the conference cellar, notching a first-round victory in the A-10 postseason tournament. With four starters back, La Salle expects to go places. Being voted as the No. 2 team in the A-10 West Division in a preseason media poll is a start. "Now there's absolutely no excuses," Morris said. "We should be better than we were last year. Our recruiting is going well and we're ready to take the next step. I think that anything less than going to the NIT, at least, would be a very disappointing season -- as long as no one gets hurt." Back for his senior year is star shooting guard Donnie Carr (18.7 points, 4.9 assists). This bundle of energy was the top-scoring freshman in the nation three years ago (23.9 points), but still suffers from a low shooting percentage (40 percent). The mantle of team leader will be passing on to sophomore forward Rasual Butler (14.2 points) in the near future. After gaining eligibility last December, the then-freshman scored in double digits in 19 of 21 games. He is joined in the frontcourt by junior Victor Thomas (15.5 points). La Salle will struggle to replace graduated center K'Zell Wesson (15.6 points, 10.3 rebounds), as the tallest returning starter with significant experience is only 6'7". "Rasual Butler has the opportunity to be a very special player. He's very talented, and he's worked really hard," Morris said. "But our dilemma is we'll miss the rebounder in the middle, K'Zell Wesson, and we have to find those rebounds. [6'11"] Garrett Bragg and [6'8"] James Jordan, who didn't get a lot of playing time last year, are going to really step up big for us and get double-figure rebounds for us." The question mark in the Big 5 is St. Joseph's. Which Hawks squad shows up -- the team that began last year 9-7 and defeated then-No. 23 Tennessee, or the team that ended the year losing 11 of its last 14 -- is always a question. Coach Phil Martelli, who guided the Hawks (12-18, 5-11 Atlantic 10 in '98-99) to the Sweet 16 three years ago, returns all five starters. But nothing can be taken for granted. The talent is there with junior Naim Crenshaw (10.7 points, 2.9 assists) and sophomore Larry Jennings (6.3 points) in the backcourt and with seniors Andre Howard (11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds) and Robert Haskins (8.6 points) at the forward spots. And Villanova transfer Marvin O'Connor is expected to make an impact at the point guard slot. Sophomore center Damian Reid (9.4 points, 7.8 rebounds), who progressed very well over the course of last season, is one player Martelli is high on. "I think our most improved player from the first of September until now has been Damian Reid, but everybody has had their moments," Martelli said. "I think that bodes well, because we have a lot across the board, not one that we have to lean on." The play of junior forward Frank Wilkins (8.0 points) and senior guard Tim Brown (7.0 points) off the bench could provide a difference in some games, which may boost the Hawks into the upper half of the A-10. One city team hit hard by graduation was Villanova. Losing its starting backcourt of Howard Brown and John Celestand to graduation, the Wildcats (21-11, 10-8 Big East in '98-99) are thin on the perimeter. The return of 6'10" senior center Malik Allen (11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds) will make Villanova a force to be reckoned with inside. Senior forward Brian Lynch (10.4 points, 41 percent three-point shooting) was one reason why the Wildcats led the Big East in long-range shooting last year. Improved play for forwards Brooks Sales (5.1 points) and T.J. Caouette (5.0 points) is needed to help smooth the introduction of new faces in the 'Nova backcourt. If any Big 5 team is going through a rebuilding year, the Wildcats would be it. After an at-large NCAA berth last season, Villanova seems to be heading more towards a middle-of-the-pack finish in the Big East this winter. Philadelphia's sixth Division I team and lone non-Big 5 member, Drexel is in an unfamiliar position. True, the Dragons (20-9, 15-3 in '98-99) find themselves picked among the top three teams in the conference. And true, the Dragons once again have first-team All-America East selection 6'9" Joe Linderman (17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds) manning the pivot. But for the first time in nine years, Drexel will not have coach Bill Herrion walking the sideline. Former assistant Steve Seymour needn't worry that much, though, as he steps into the head position. Senior point guard Bryant Coursey (9.3 points, 4.6 assists) and junior forwards Mike Kouser (12.8 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Petrick Sanders (8.6 points) are all back for the Dragons. Drexel will face Big 5 teams La Salle and Penn this winter. A matchup with St. Joseph's had to be dropped when the Hawks picked up Villanova as part of the reborn full round-robin Big 5 play. The other major player in the Big 5 is the Palestra. The fifth-oldest Division I basketball arena will host six intra-city games, as well as two St. Joe's home games. Penn will host Villanova, St. Joseph's and Drexel in Philadelphia action and Drexel will host La Salle in a cross-town game. Also, St. Joseph's will play its Big 5 "home games" with Temple and La Salle at the Palestra. The Hawks will grace the Palestra with their presence in two non-league games in December against Rutgers and South Carolina.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
