http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi RSS Feed for DN Col Dick Jerardi en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:14:52 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120213_Dick_Jerardi__TEMPLE_S_TOO_MUCH_FOR__X_.html AROUND THE CITY: PLAYING LIGHTS OUT Temple was tied with Xavier, 5-5, at the Liacouras Center. Seven minutes later, it was 21-5 and over. Want to understand what Temple hoops is about these days? Replay those 7 minutes a few times. The game can't be played much better. Temple won, 85-72. Once the first-half blitz subsided with Temple leading, 47-27, Xavier (16-9, 7-4 Atlantic 10) actually played pretty well. But the point had been made by the Owls (19-5, 8-2). Temple has now won eight straight. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120208_Dick_Jerardi__February_trumps_March_Madness.html MARCH IS just about everybody's favorite month of the college basketball season. I am partial to February. You don't need to look at a calendar to know it's February. Just check out the stress level of coaches. You can see it etched on their faces. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120206_Dick_Jerardi__Hawks_too_big_for_La_Salle.html AROUND THE CITY BIG BEATS LITTLE The week before, Saint Joseph's big frontline was no match for Temple's perimeter power. Playing against La Salle's four guards, SJU's big men, specifically Halil Kanacevic, were a bit too much for the Explorers in their 70-66 win at the Palestra. And, yes, the magic number (8,722) jammed the Big House. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120201_Dick_Jerardi__Who_s_Big_5_s_best_.html NOW THAT WE ARE into February, it is time to start considering the Big 5 player of the year and potential members of the first and second teams. Some seasons, it is difficult because there are not enough good players. This is not one of those seasons. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120130_Dick_Jerardi__College_basketball_wrap__Owls_almost_perfect.html AROUND THE CITY NEVER CLOSE The final score really does not tell the story of Saint Joseph's-at-Temple. The Owls won, 78-60, for their 10th straight in the series. It was 72-44 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Before the subs came in, Temple had just five turnovers and could not have played much better. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120125_Dick_Jerardi__WHEN_FANS_GET_NASTY.html What prompts college basketball fans to shriek comments at players that are personal, hurtful and completely unnecessary? I haven't a clue. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120123_Dick_Jerardi__It_s_Penn_at_the_wire.html ACROSS THE CITY WILDEST GAME: The long day at the Palestra ended with Penn beating Saint Joseph's, 84-80. The game looked over when Penn, which never trailed, led 62-39 with 12 minutes left. Less than 8 minutes later, it was 68-64. Penn (10-9, 1-3 Big 5) held on to the finish line. St. Joe's (12-8, 1-1) simply got too far behind. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120118_Dick_Jerardi__How_Big_5_times__and_fans__have_changed.html LAST WEEK'S lead item about it not really mattering to me who wins or loses despite what fans of some city teams may think seems to have struck a nerve. Got a number of interesting responses, every one of them positive and a few quite informative. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120117_Dick_Jerardi__Havre_de_Grace_de_obvious_choice.html LAST YEAR was not 2009 or 2010 in any way - no superstars, no races for the ages, no controversy over Horse of the Year. The voters did not have to choose between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta (2009) or Blame and Zenyatta (2010). http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_jerardi/20120116_Dick_Jerardi__Penn__Drexel_save_city_s_rep.html AROUND THE CITY All six teams were on the road. Drexel was a slight favorite, Villanova a substantial underdog. Penn and La Salle were slight 'dogs, while Temple and Saint Joseph's were essentially in pick-'em games. The University City exacta saved the day and night for the city. The Atlantic 10 trifecta all lost, although La Salle nearly completed an amazing comeback at Dayton. 'Nova played better, but the result was the same.