Finally! A reason to give Penn Quakers Big 5 Love

This week, I must give some props to the Quakers of the University of Pennsylvania.  Anyone that knows me and has read my Big 5 Power Rankings knows that I’ve dumped on Penn in the last few seasons.  (To those that know me more intimately, this has nothing to do with a certain video store I used to work at that was near the University of Pennsylvania campus where I have countless horror stories about the clientele.)

Sometimes, I wish we were back in the good old days where Penn would at least be a threat in the Ivy League and maybe even make the NCAA Tournament — where I’d bet on them for a round in any pool I’m in.  Sadly, that’s not been the case, but this past week has been good for Penn so I will give them their do.

Congratulations on your win against Saint Joseph’s this past week.  Props to you on your first Big 5 win since January 21, 2012 against … guess who … the Saint Joseph’s Hawks.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I give you the rest of the rankings.

1. #7 Villanova Wildcats (18-2, 5-2 Big East, 4-0 Big 5)
Last Week: W v. Creighton
Upcoming: @ DePaul, v. #21 Georgetown

It would seem that January could be a month of sweet paybacks for the Wildcats.  Villanova had no problems with the ‘Jays over the weekend thanks in large part to the fact Doug McDermott is on an NBA sideline — albeit in street clothes.  Let’s not argue semantics, however.  Darrun Hillard II (who really needs a nickname, by the way) scored a season high 24 against Creighton who only shot 4-of-19 from downtown and committed 19 turnovers.  The Wildcats ran out to a 15-0 lead and continued to run the ‘Jays out of the Pavilion — where Villanova has now won 24 in a row.  Memo to Villanova players, coaches, and fans: do not catch a case of the “look pasties”.  DePaul is having an average season, and everyone is looking forward to sweet revenge against Georgetown, but can we handle some Blue Demon business first.  That is all that I ask.  Hopefully, Villanova will play a lot better the second time around.  After a season low of points, assists (8), and a near season high in turnovers (18) the first time against the Hoyas, it couldn’t get any worse right?  Crap.  I just jinxed them, didn’t I?  Well, I apologize in advance.

2. Temple Owls (13-7, 4-3 American, 2-2 Big 5)
Last Week: W v. South Florida
Upcoming: @ Central Florida, v. Tulane

Last Thursday’s game against South Florida was simply an edition of the Jesse Morgan show.  Granted, the show would not have been quite as funny as say a TRACY Morgan show at (name any comedy club), but Morgan’s output for the Owls was enjoyed by those in attendance at the Liacourus Center.  Morgan scored a season high 19 points for Temple including 5-of-8 from distance.  Quenton DeCosey added 14 and Will Cummings contributed another 12.  This three-guard combo for the Owls works when they’re all in rhythm, so their season progression will be interesting to watch.  Temple could be back on the right path after losing three straight which was preceded by a six-game winning streak — including that impressive win against Kansas.

3. La Salle Explorers (11-9, 3-4 Atlantic 10, 3-2 Big 5)
Last Week: L @ Rhode Island, W v. St. Joseph’s
Upcoming: @ St. Bonaventure

You know.  It never fails.  The week I say La Salle could be a little frisky in the Atlantic 10 is the same week they look rather unimpressive.  I should just not use that phrase ever again when talking about a team that may surprise people.  The Explorers looked pretty good in their win against Dayton but came out utterly flat against Rhode Island — which was confirmed when La Salle scored just seven points in a near 14 minute drought midway through the first half.  Jerrell Wright had 18 points to fuel the Explorers, but there was just no sense of a possible salvaging. Thankfully, La Salle played St. Joseph’s last night — who have been utterly inept offensively (not to say the Explorers have been much better) — and Wright had another decent game (19 points, 10 rebounds) as the men of Olney now look to get to .500 in A-10 play with a win over Bonaventure.

4. St. Joseph’s Hawks (8-11, 2-5 Atlantic 10, 2-3 Big 5)
Last Week: L v. Pennsylvania, L @ La Salle
Upcoming: v. Davidson, @ Saint Louis

I’ll say it again because it bears repeating, St. Joseph’s needs to do something about their defense.  Any new and fresh ideas can be forwarded to head coach Phil Martelli because the Hawks need something.  Once again, a St. Joe’s opponent had a very good shooting night en route to a win. That team?  Penn.  That is not a typo.  Tony Hicks finished with 15 points, Darien Nelson-Henry added another 14, and as a team, Penn shot 46 percent from the field.  Last night against La Salle, though, the offense didn’t do much to help a Hawks defense that held the Explorers to 38 percent shooting from the field.  The only bright side to report on for the Hawks is DeAndre Bembry who is having a monster month of January thus far (20.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 blocks, 48% FG).

5. Pennsylvania Quakers (5-10, 0-1 Ivy League, 1-3 Big 5)
Last Week: W v. St. Joseph’s
Upcoming: v. Dartmouth, v. Harvard

So, I got a text message from Mr. Jovan — our editor here at Total Sports Live — with a simple question:

“Is Penn going to be ahead of St. Joseph’s in your Big 5 rankings next week because they beat the Hawks.”

I thought about it for a second, laughed, and simply replied, “No.”  Listen, I’ll give Penn all the props that my brain can give them for beating Saint Joe’s, but I can’t put them ahead of the Hawks.  They still have the worst Big 5 conference record, and the Quakers have three less overall wins.  As stated above, Tony Hicks and Darien Nelson-Henry had a good game.  Hopefully, Penn can parlay this Big 5 win to some Ivy League success.

(After the above comments, that’s as nice as I can be towards Penn, Jovan.  I’m sorry.  I had to tap some reserve good feelings for that last sentence.  I’m tapped out.)