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A look at the Philly City Six men's basketball teams

Here is a look at the Philadelphia City Six men's basketball teams: LA SALLE The Explorers on Friday opened their Atlantic Ten season with a 66-55 loss at Dayton, the Flyers' 13th straight home win over La Salle, dating to 1999.

Here is a look at the Philadelphia City Six men's basketball teams:

LA SALLE

The Explorers on Friday opened their Atlantic Ten season with a 66-55 loss at Dayton, the Flyers' 13th straight home win over La Salle, dating to 1999.

"It was our worst game of the season by far," La Salle coach John Giannini said.

Had Dayton done a better job at the foul line (15 for 31, 48.4 percent) the final margin would have been worse.

Still, Giannini said his squad can be a competitive team in a balanced A-10.

"If we get better at not turning it over and a little tougher defensively and mentally, I think this team can really compete," he said.

The Explorers are banged up.

Center Demetrius Henry didn't play against Dayton because of turf toe, and swingman B.J. Johnson (19.6 ppg.) hurt his ankle but still played 37 minutes.

COMING UP

Wednesday vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Saturday vs. Duquesne, 8 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH'S

The Hawks suffered a devastating blow when junior point guard Shavar Newkirk suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament right before halftime Friday against George Washington, but St. Joseph's won the game, 68-63.

"We played an Atlantic Ten game with three turnovers in our last 60 possessions," coach Phil Martelli said. "That was a players' win. They hung together."

Still, proceeding without Newkirk will be a challenging task. He averaged 20.3 points and 3.5 assists per game.

"He has a wonderful way about him, being a really good teammate, and he was able to recognize the fact that we needed things from him that we didn't need his first two years." Martelli said.

Sophomore Lamarr "Fresh" Kimball (14.8 ppg.) will run the offense.

COMING UP

Saturday at Fordham, 3 p.m.

Tuesday vs. George Mason, 7 p.m.

PENN

After a posting a 6-5 nonconference record, Penn begins Ivy League play Saturday at Princeton. The Quakers are averaging 68.3 points per game, and more consistency on offense is the immediate goal.

"I love our defense and our toughness and grittiness, and I think we are all in," coach Steve Donahue said. "Now we have to get better execution on the offensive end, more flow to our game, a little more confidence on that side of the ball."

One person playing with confidence is 6-foot-8 freshman A.J. Brodeur, who is averaging a team-high 15.5 points and shares the rebounding lead with Matt Howard at 6.5 per game.

Broduer has attempted only two three-pointers, but he can face the basket or post up and is shooting 54.7 percent from the field.

COMING UP

Saturday at Princeton, 7 p.m.

TEMPLE

The Owls, the defending American Athletic Conference regular-season champions, have dug themselves a big hole by losing their first two conference games. Things won't get easier when Temple visits Southern Methodist (12-3, 2-0) on Wednesday.

Point guard Josh Brown, who hasn't played since the Owls' Dec. 13 loss at Villanova because of Achilles tendon soreness, won't play Wednesday. Brown hasn't taken part in a full-scale practice since before the Villanova game.

Temple lost a tight 56-50 AAC opener to Cincinnati. But on Saturday, the Owls trailed, 38-11, at halftime in a 77-53 loss at Central Florida. Temple shot just 4 for 29 from the field and 1 for 10 from three-point range in the first half.

Obi Enechionyia (14.7 ppg.) is averaging just seven points in his last five games.

COMING UP

Wednesday at SMU, 9 p.m.

Saturday vs. East Carolina, noon.

DREXEL

With a 6-9 record under first-year coach Zach Spiker, Drexel has matched its win total from last season, when the Dragons finished 6-25.

Drexel started its Colonial Athletic Association schedule with two close losses, including Monday's 75-70 defeat to Northeastern.

One of the top newcomers has been freshman point guard Kurk Lee. He is averaging 14.4 points and a team-high 5.2 assists in an average of 31.5 minutes per game.

"He's playing a lot of minutes and doing a lot of things," Spiker said. "He is a confident kid, and we have great confidence in him."

COMING UP

Thursday vs. North Carolina Wilmington, 7 p.m.

Saturday at William & Mary, 4 p.m.

VILLANOVA

Sophomore point guard Jalen Brunson earned Big East player of the week honors after averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds in wins over DePaul and Creighton.

Brunson has a much bigger role on this season's year'steam, although his contribution to last year's NCAA championship was significant.

He is averaging 30.1 minutes per game, six more than last season. year.Brunson is averaging 13.9 points and 4.0 assists.

"I am one of the youngest guys on the team, but they treat me like I have been there [a long time]. So I have to acknowledge to them that they feel I am experienced, and it is a credit to them that they help me every day," Brunson said.

In his last six games, he is averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists after scoring a career-high 27 points and adding five assists in Saturday's 80-70 win over previously unbeaten Creighton.

COMING UP

Wednesday at Butler, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday vs. Marquette, 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center

Tuesday vs. Xavier, 7 p.m.