Sweet Revenge on the Menu for Pair of Big 5 Teams

Most people who attend their high school reunions do so with a thought of “look at me now”.  (Unless they aren’t successful — this is partly why I dread my 25 year high school reunion.)  It’s the revenge factor.  You want to show that you’re doing well despite the bullying or unpopularity that may have been inflicted.  Revenge and  payback, these are both things that make for great stories — both positively or negatively.

The next seven days are full of paybacks for a couple Big Five teams in the area.  The Villanova Wildcats and Temple Owls both have opportunities to enact some sweet revenge on a pair of prior transgressors.  Georgetown took a bite out of the Wildcats a few weeks ago, and the Cincinnati Bearcats absolutely shredded the Owls at Fifth Third Arena.  This time around, Villanova gets the Hoyas at the Wells Fargo Center, and Temple entertains Cincinnati at the Liacouras Center.

As the old Klingon proverb goes: “bortaS bIr jablu’DI’ reH QaQqu’ nay'”.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

1. #7 Villanova Wildcats (19-2, 6-2 Big East, 4-0 Big 5)
Last week: W @ DePaul
This week: v. Marquette, v. #24 Georgetown (at Wells Fargo Center)

Before they can get their payback on the big bad dogs of Georgetown, Villanova had some business to attend to with the DePaul Blue Demons.  It was a little dicey at first considering the Wildcats allowed the Blue Demons to shoot 52 percent from the field in the first half and took a six point deficit to halftime, but then things got simple. Villanova opened the second half on a 14-4 run to take a four point lead after the opening seven minutes and didn’t look back. Ryan Arcidiacono scored all 18 of his points in the second half to fuel Villanova who held DePaul’s leading scorer, Myke Henry to six points. One more potential trap awaits Villanova tonight against Marquette (who have lost five straight) before their big showdown at the WFC against Georgetown this Saturday.

2. Temple Owls (15-7, 6-3 American, 2-2 Big 5)
Last week: W @ UCF, W v. Tulane
This week: @ USF, @ Memphis, v. Cincinnati

Don’t look now, but the Owls have won three straight since being crushed by Cincinnati three weeks ago.  Granted, UCF and Tulane are terrible, but let’s not argue semantics, okay?  Temple’s defense in their three game win streak has been superb.  The Owls are holding opponents to just under 33 percent from the floor (32.7%).  The win against Tulane marked a historic achievement as they held the Green Wave to eight points in the first half — which is the lowest point total allowed by a Temple squad at the Liacouras Center. Quenton DeCosey scored 17 for the Owls, and Will Cummings added a 13/6/6. Before their rematch with the Bearcats, the Owls have to deal with both USF and Memphis on the road before coming back to North Philly on February 10.

3. La Salle Explorers (12-9, 4-4 Atlantic 10, 3-2 Big 5)
Last week: W v. St. Bonaventure
This week: v. Richmond, @ Massachusetts, @ #18 VCU

I’ve been saying this for at least two weeks now: “I don’t know what La Salle is!”  They could be good.  They could be average.  They could be over achieving despite the loss of talent over the past two seasons (Galloway, Garland).  I.  Don’t.  Know.  The Explorers are playing well, so warming up to them is becoming easier of late.  La Salle defeated the Bona Wolves — or “B-Wolves” for short — on Saturday behind 24 from Jordan Price, 20 from Cleon Roberts, and Steve Zack (who didn’t have any points, but had 14 rebounds). The Explorers performance over the next seven games will give me more of a clue what they are as they have good matchups against Richmond, UMass, and VCU — who were upset by Richmond over the weekend thanks to Kendall Anthony’s 22 points.  That, or I could still be confused about La Salle.  We shall see.

4. Saint Joseph’s Hawks (9-12, 3-6 Atlantic 10, 2-1 Big 5)
Last week: W v. Davidson, L @ Saint Louis
This week: v. George Mason

One Big 5 school that would LOVE to get some revenge but can’t seem to is St. Joe’s.  Last night’s 68-61 overtime loss against Saint Louis makes it nine in a row to the Billikens.  This was after a solid 75-70 win against Davidson over the weekend at Hagan Arena. Achraf Yacoubou had 20 for Saint Louis who took the lead in the extra frame with nothing but free throws since neither team scored a field goal until Reggie Agbeko’s jumper with 1:33 to go.  DeAndre Bembry continued his strong January with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Aaron Brown added 21.  George Mason comes to Hagan Arena this weekend, and the Patriots have lost six of seven.

5. Pennsylvania Quakers (6-11, 1-2 Ivy League, 1-3 Big 5)
Last week: W v. Dartmouth, L v. Harvard
This week: @ Cornell, @ Columbia

It’s the “Curse of Adio Royster Praise”.  I swear this is a thing.  I gave Penn a good amount of love and good will.  They went out and made me proud with an impressive win at home against Dartmouth.  Four Quakers scored in double figures — led by Matt Howard’s career high 18 points. I felt good that the curse was finally lifted, and then they get blasted by 25 to Harvard.  Four Crimson players scored in double digits and they led the Quakers 36-15 at the half.  Penn’s defense didn’t help much as they allowed Harvard to shoot 49 percent from the field, and their offense sure wasn’t working either, as they only shot 30 percent.  This week, the Quakers are on the road in New York to face Cornell and Columbia.  Perhaps Penn can make me happy by beating the Bears so I can poke the bear that is Keith Olbermann — a graduate of Cornell.