TRYING TO KEEP all of these early season tournaments straight is a prescription for dizziness. What we know for sure is Villanova finished first in its tournament, Saint Joseph's fourth and La Salle fifth.

What does it all mean? Well, we already knew Villanova is really good. The Hawks still have more questions than answers. And the Explorers have a senior core that really should get them into a postseason tournament for the first time since 1992.

Which team did better? St. Joe's finished fourth in the Virgin Islands, but went 1-2. La Salle finished fifth in Charleston, S.C., but went 2-1. I would say La Salle. Nobody remembers where anybody finished in these tournaments (unless you won the championship). The records linger.

The Wildcats are the Noah's Ark of the Big 5. They have two of everything. And all those who thought Antonio Pena would be the MVP of the Puerto Rico Tip-off, please raise your hands.

Pena had 17 points and 16 rebounds in the championship game against Mississippi. He looked and played like a different player than in previous seasons. Just what Jay Wright needs - another weapon for a team that is unbeaten but should be far better in February than it is now.

La Salle's visit to Villanova on Saturday is intriguing. The Wildcats should win, but nobody is playing better in the city than La Salle senior Rodney Green.

Green has an old man's game in an amazingly athletic body. In an era where just about everybody rushes his game, Green's game is relaxed, understated and very effective. He really does let the game come to him unless the situation demands he take over.

Depending on how many games La Salle plays, Green could finish with 2,000 points. But his season will be judged by La Salle's record. With three eventual 1,000-point scorers (Kimmani Barrett, Ruben Guillandeaux, Yves Mekongo) and freshman big man Aaric Murray alongside, Green really is in position to have a crescendo of a finish.

Speaking of tournaments

 

Don't you love these predetermined matchups? Even though Duquesne went to Iowa and won in the CBE Classic, Iowa went to Kansas City on Monday for the privilege of getting crushed by Texas, 85-60.

The next time somebody tells you college basketball has an even playing field, please cite this example of how the BCS conferences control basketball. Even when they lose, they win.

Good guy gets chance

 

I'm always happy when assistants who have paid their dues get a chance to run a program. So it was nice to see Cardinal O'Hara High grad Sean Kearney at Hawk Hill last Tuesday with his Holy Cross team.

The longtime assistant at Notre Dame and Delaware, among other places, is still looking for his first win. But it is very early.

"I think as we get a better feeling of what I'm trying to do with them, I think we'll improve each night," Kearney said after the St. Joe's game. "I want them rewarded. It just may not come a lot in November and December. Ideally, what I have to remind myself is that we're in the Patriot League and we've got to be prepared to play there."

Watch out for CAA

 

When Virginia Commonwealth, the Colonial's flagship program, lost Eric Maynor, the league figured to take a step back. Look again.