By Sean Kennedy
Today’s Action
7:00 PM: Saint Joseph’s (4-4, 0-0 A-10) vs. Drexel (7-2, 0-0 CAA)
The Hawks will be looking for their first win of the year against a City 6 opponent after suffering losses to Temple and Villanova in their last two games. We mentioned Monday their blowout loss to the Wildcats, and now they’ll be facing arguably the city’s 2nd-best team in Drexel. The Hawks beat Drexel 63-49 on the Dragons’ home court last season, so you know the boys in blue and gold will be looking for some revenge.
The game should be a somewhat interesting clash of styles as Drexel is so heavily perimeter-oriented with guards Frantz Massenat, Chris Fouch, and now Tavon Allen replacing Damion Lee in their weaving, dribble-handoff offensive scheme. The Hawks rely on two main guys with guard Langston Galloway leading the team in scoring, but they can also hurt you on the interior with 6’8″ forward Ronald Roberts, Jr. Roberts, Jr.’s ability to do damage against the big men of the Dragons will likely be the x-factor in this game between fairly evenly matched foes that know each other well. This game could go either way but don’t be surprised to see St. Joe’s bounce back from some bad recent performances and pull off the mild upset in this battle of winged creatures.
7:00 PM: Temple (4-4, 0-0 AAC) vs. Texas Southern (3-7, 0-0 SWAC) – ESPN3
Coming off a heart-breaking overtime loss to Texas a week and a half ago, Temple will host another member of the Long Star State when they take on the Texas Southern Tigers. In that Longhorns game, the Owls received another great effort from Dalton Pepper, who scored 20 points for the 3rd time in his past 4 games. Anthony Lee put forth an inspired performance as well, with 23 points and 14 rebounds, marking his third straight games with a double-double. The win snapped a 3-game winning streak for the Owls but there’s no shame in losing in overtime to a 9-1 Texas squad. Tonight’s opponent will not provide nearly the level of competition the Owls have been accustomed to lately, as the Tigers rate as one of the worst defensive teams in the country.
Texas Southern has dropped 7 of its past 8 games, but are led by a familiar face for Philadelphia basketball fans in former La Salle center Aaric Murray. After leaving the Explorers, the well-traveled big man was more or less kicked off the team by West Virginia coach Bob Huggins and now finds himself with one last shot at Texas Southern. The 6’10” Murray is making the most of this final opportunity, averaging team-highs in points (22.2), rebounds (6.9), and blocks (2.5). He and 6’7″ junior Jose Rodriquez (averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 boards himself) form a solid frontcourt for the Tigers. Still, they don’t have nearly the depth of even a team like Temple. I would expect the Anthony Lee to play Murray to at least a draw and the rest of the Owls to lead Temple to victory.
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