Jensen: Trust the process at City Six schools, too.

Last week's theme was how nobody in the City Six after Villanova has a shot at an at-large NCAA bid, and that's still obviously true, although Penn has been furiously digging out of its 0-6 Ivy hole. A 4-6 record now puts the Quakers in either the driver's seat or at least the front passenger's spot for the last opening at the four-team Ivy tournament. That spot could come down to Saturday's game at Columbia.

Let's look at the future, though. The good news, not unrelated, is you could make the argument that the most talented guys on probably four of the other five non-'Nova teams are freshmen. The relationship is obvious. Freshmen don't typically win you enough games to get where you want to go. But if the talented ones keep working at it, you're onto something.

Start with Penn. It was obvious from the beginning that Quakers freshman A.J. Brodeur was a foundational player. He's had ups and downs, but he's the real thing. However, Brodeur hasn't been the biggest reason the Quakers got going lately. Another freshman, Ryan Betley, has come on strong. Betley missed Penn's first nine games to injury. He had the reputation coming in as a shooter. He's shown lately he's more than that. He'll take you off the dribble, and his quick hands were in evidence this past weekend. He's quite obviously a ballplayer. He had 40 points last weekend at Brown and Yale. Bright future aside, the present isn't so bad.

You want the top freshman in the city? The vote here, for both current play and potential, goes to Charlie Brown at St. Joseph's, who has special offensive skills, a smooth game that goes beyond his 12.7 points a game. Another foundational player.

Temple isn't getting it done this year, not able to finish even the games it seems to control. So you have to look at the future for the Owls. Quinton Rose averages 10 points a game in 23.6 minutes. He's got the here-to-there quickness that changes plays. Like Brown, continued improvement at the defensive end will be the key. Temple also will count on point guard Alani Moore and inside player Damion Moore, who had his best offensive spree on the weekend against Connecticut. Both have shown why they were recruited to North Broad. But Rose is the guy who has the potential to be the guy.

At Drexel, two freshmen guards already have shown considerable skills. Forget point guard Kurk Lee's height. (He's not close to his listed 5-10.) He's a handful running the show, averaging 15 a game, making 40 percent of his three-pointers. Kari Jonsson, currently injured, is another freshman sharpshooter, averaging 9.9 points a game and making 44 percent of his threes. His stroke is as good as anyone in the city, and he's older than his years. He was a strong player going against American pros in Iceland's first division.

Villanova and La Salle don't have freshman starters because they don't need freshman starters. With transfers ready to go at La Salle, freshman forward Isiah Deas has mostly had to bide his time. He's proven he's a ballplayer with a future.

Many want to argue that Omari Spellman would have changed things at Villanova if he had been eligible this season. I'll argue not so much. He'd have seen time, for sure. But the five-star big man would have had to learn his way on the defensive end, and that's the end that often makes 'Nova special. Dylan Painter also has seen only a little spot duty lately with Darryl Reynolds injured. Jay Wright has proven freshman minutes shouldn't be automatically equated to future potential.

That's what we're talking about here, potential. It isn't such a bad thing to see so much of it around the city. Sure it's been rough around. No denying it. But if you're willing to trust the process with the professional outfit, might as well let it filter down to the amateurs.

mjensen@phillynews.com

@jensenoffcampus