Green, Murray step up for La Salle in win over Hampton
The game was certainly closer than had been anticipated, but first games rarely look like works of art. Looking beyond the score always matters, especially in mid-November. La Salle beat Hampton, 83-80, at Gola Arena on Saturday.
Explorers senior Rodney Green picked up exactly where he left off at the end of his junior season - with a wonderful stat line that speaks to his all-around game. And freshman big man Aaric Murray did something that hasn't been done at La Salle since the great Michael Brooks' first game on Nov. 29, 1976.
Green had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He shot 4-for-5 from the arc. The line is nothing new; Green has been that good for a long time now.
Murray (16 points, 11 rebounds) became the first La Salle player with a double-double in his first game since Brooks went off for 25 points and 18 rebounds in his debut. Murray was named the Atlantic 10 co-Rookie of the Week, along with Charlotte's Shamarr Bowden.
The Explorers did have 19 turnovers, which made the final score closer than it probably should have been. But you have to start somewhere. La Salle shot 49.1 percent and the best thing about first games is that you only have to play them once.
Owls romp at Delaware
Temple was never in any danger in its opener at Delaware, winning 76-56. The Owls outscored the Blue Hens, 28-4, over a 10-minute span of the first half, led 40-19 at the break, and never looked back.
Temple senior Ryan Brooks shot 8-for-14 and had 23 points. Lavoy Allen had 15 rebounds. Point guard Juan Fernandez scored 14 points.
The Owls shot 50 percent and held Delaware to 33 percent. This was the first game of the Philly Hoop Group Classic. The tournament concludes at the Palestra on Thanksgiving weekend. Temple plays Virginia Tech on Nov. 27 and St. John's on Nov. 28.
The Owls will play three games before that - at Georgetown (tomorrow), at home with Siena (Saturday) and Ball State (Nov. 24).
Big 5 season opens tonight
Penn is at Villanova tonight as the 55th season of City Series play begins. One of the highlights of the season will occur on a court, but will not involve a game.
On Jan. 29 at the Palestra, John Chaney, Rollie Massimino and Speedy Morris will all be inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame. Massimino (Villanova) is the only Big 5-era coach to win a national championship. Chaney (Temple) and Morris (La Salle) are the all-time winningest coaches at their schools.
The Wildcats, who have dominated the City Series the last five seasons (winning 18 of their last 19), play in the first four Big 5 games - Nov. 28 vs. La Salle, Dec. 9 vs. Saint Joseph's at the Palestra, Dec. 13 at Temple.
Half of the City Series games will be at the Palestra. It would have been six if there had not been a scheduling conflict on March 6. Which is why St. Joe's and La Salle will be playing at Hagan Arena.
