Better days ahead? Coach hopes so

If John Giannini believes La Salle has turned the corner, the Explorers coach isn't admitting it - at least not publicly.

"Listen, I take every day for what it is. I don't assume or expect anything," said Giannini, whose squad is 10-11 overall, 2-4 in the Atlantic Ten after beating St. Joseph's on Thursday night.

"Nothing surprises me," he added. "All I know is we are going to do our absolute hardest . . . and that's all that's promised us. The old saying, 'You just hope, God forbid, we are alive tomorrow.' "

La Salle's remaining schedule will test the Explorers, who are coming off consecutive victories for the first time since November.

After playing at Charlotte on Saturday, the Explorers host Temple on Wednesday, and Dayton on Feb. 5. Those three contests will provide a true barometer of La Salle's improvement.

Though struggling this season, the 49ers (9-11, 1-5) have had the Explorers' number, winning five of their last six meetings.

Against Temple (14-5, 4-2), La Salle has lost 20 of the last 25. Meanwhile, Dayton (15-6, 3-3) has won 12 of the last 14 against La Salle.

Sophomore center Aaric Murray is third all-time at La Salle in blocked shots (117). The Glen Mills product needs four to move past Rasual Butler and pull into second place. Lionel Simmons (248) holds the school record.

Freshman Sam Mills, a 6-2 reserve guard from Sunrise, Fla., is shooting 50 percent (23 of 46) from beyond the three-point arc, good enough for second place in the A-10.