Dick Jerardi |
AROUND THE CITY
The Drexel deal
Playing without leading scorer Frank Elegar (one-game suspension because he hit Delaware's Sam McMahon with an elbow the previous Saturday), the Dragons did much good against Colonial leader Virginia Commonwealth at the DAC. But they could not stop VCU down the stretch and lost, 75-68.
Drexel (15-5, 7-3 CAA) still has an NCAA Tournament resume, but its margin for error is shrinking. VCU (18-3, 10-0) is 9-1 on the road and its three losses (Xavier, Toledo, Appalachian State) are by a combined seven points.
At this moment, Drexel's NCAA non-conference resume is stronger than the CAA's George Mason was when it got an at-large berth last year. Still, it is hard to put all of it into context because you don't know how Drexel is going to finish or what the at-large pool will look like on Selection Sunday. Meanwhile, Drexel should win as many games as possible and/or win the CAA Tournament.
Going for a grand
Drexel point guard Bashir Mason got his 1,000th point. With two steals, he will become just the second Dragon to get 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals, joining the wonderful Michael Anderson.
What happened to all those points?
When Notre Dame played at Villanova Jan. 17, the teams combined for 189 points in Villanova's 15-point win. They lost 60 points on the way to Indiana and ND won at home, 66-63.
The Wildcats (14-6, 3-4 Big East) shot 57 percent in the win and 33.3 percent (20 of 60) in the loss. Notre Dame (17-4, 5-3) trailed by seven with barely 7 minutes left, but made most of the significant plays down the stretch.
'Nova's Scottie Reynolds (19 points, eight assists) has been on a great roll but proved he's human with a late turnover. Curtis Sumpter had a chance to tie it, but missed an open three in the final seconds. Ryan Ayers (Germantown Academy) scored five straight points to bring the Irish from a 60-57 deficit to a 62-60 lead with 1:39 to play.
Alive in the Big 5
The City Series title is down to Saint Joseph's and Villanova. After the Hawks beat Penn, 84-74, at a sold-out Palestra, St. Joe's (12-8, 2-0 Big 5) and Villanova (3-0) are the only teams without two Big 5 losses.
St. Joe's is 14-4 in Big 5 games dating back to the 2002-03 season. Villanova has won 10 consecutive Big 5 games. The Holy War is Feb. 6 at Villanova.
The Hawks story
St. Joe's shot 53.4 percent against Penn. Junior swingman Pat Calathes had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. It was his second consecutive career high in points after getting 21 at George Washington on Wednesday. In the two games, he shot 13-for-20 from the field, 5-for-8 from the arc and 13-for-13 from the foul line. He has made 21 straight free throws.
Phil Martelli is now 234-133 on Hawk Hill, tying him with Jack Ramsay (234-72) for the second most wins at St. Joe's. Bill Ferguson, who coached from 1928 to '53, has the school record of 309.
The Ivy story
Penn (11-7, 2-2 Big 5) is finished with non-conference games. The Quakers (2-0 in the Ivy) could take complete control of the race if they win at Brown and Yale this weekend. Cornell and Yale each are 3-1, every other team has at least two losses.
All those turnovers
Buzz this story.
