IS READY FOR THE SECOND ROUND
Penn is at Villanova on Monday night as the 55th season of City Series play begins.
One of the highlights of the season will occur on a court, but will not involve a game.
On Jan. 29, 2010 at the Palestra, John Chaney, Rollie Massimino and Speedy Morris will all be inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame. Massimino (Villanova) is the only Big 5 era coach to win a national championship. Chaney (Temple) and Morris (La Salle) are the all-time winningest coaches at their schools.
The Wildcats, who have dominated the City Series the last five seasons (they have won 18 of their last 19), play in the first four Big 5 games — Nov. 28 vs. La Salle, Dec. 9 vs. Saint Joseph's at the Palestra, Dec. 13 at Temple.
Half of the City Series games will be at the Palestra. It would have been six if there had not been a scheduling conflict on March 6. Which is why St. Joe's and La Salle will be playing at Hagan Arena.
*
LaSalle's Aarric Muray was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week.
He had 16 points and 11 rebounds in an 83-80 victory over Hampton on Saturday, becoming the first Explorer freshman to post a double-double in his debut since Michael Brooks had 25 points and 18 rebounds against Widener on Nov. 29, 1976.
*
The week ahead
MONDAY, NOV. 16
Penn at Villanova, 7
TUESDAY, NOV. 17
Drexel at Niagara, 8 a.m.
Temple at Georgetown, 4
Holy Cross at Saint Joseph’s, 7
THURSDAY, NOV. 19
Villanova vs. George Mason, 2 p.m. at Puerto Rico Classic/San Juan, P.R.
La Salle at South Carolina, 9:30 p.m. at Charleston (S.C.) Classic
FRIDAY, NOV. 20
Drexel at Rutgers, 7:30
Villanova vs. Dayton/Georgia Tech at 1 or 3 p.m. at Puerto Rico Classic/San Juan, P.R.
La Salle vs. South Florida/Davidson, 7 or 9:30 p.m., at Charleston (S.C.) Classic
Saint Joseph’s vs. Boston College, 6 p.m. at Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, V.I.
SATURDAY, NOV. 21
Delaware at Penn, 7
Siena at Temple, 7
Saint Joseph's vs. South Dakota State/Purdue, 6 p.m. at Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, V.I.
*If lose Nov. 20
SUNDAY, NOV. 22
La Salle vs. TBA, 10 a.m./12:30/3:30/6 at Charleston (S.C.) Classic
(Tulane, Miami (Fla.), UNC Wilmington, Penn St.)
Villanova vs. TBA, 10:30 a.m./12:30/5:30/8 at Puerto Rico Classic/San Juan, P.R.
(Indiana, Mississippi, Boton U., Kansas St.)
* Saint Joseph's vs. South Dakota State/Purdue, 8:30 p.m. at Paradise Jam/St. Thomas, V.I.
*If win Nov. 20
Philly is a hoops town and Phillyhoopsinsider.com provides complete coverage of the Big 5 and Drexel with news and commentary from the people inside the game and those who cover it. Look for regular contributions from the Daily News team of college hoops reporters and from many of Philly’s coaches.
FRAN DUNPHY, Temple
He begins his fourth season on North Broad with nearly 350 career victories after a long tenure at Penn. The Owls won the Atlantic 10 Tournament last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
BRUISER FLINT, Drexel
He begins his eighth season with the Dragons after returning to the city where he played collegiately at St. Joe’s. The Dragons have advanced to the postseason in four of the last six years and have won at least 17 games four times under Flint.
DR. JOHN GIANNINI, La Salle
He begins his fifth season at the school after successful tenures at the University of Maine and Rowan, where teams made two trips to the Division III Final Four. At LaSalle two seasons ago, he engineered an 18-win season and third-place finish in the Atlantic 10, the school’s best finish since joining the league for the 1995-96 season.
PHIL MARTELLI, Saint Joseph’s
He begins his 14th season on Hawk Hill, having won more than 250 games. He is a four-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and has taken the Hawks to the postseason in seven of the last eight years.
JAY WRIGHT, Villanova
He begins his eighth season at ‘Nova, having amassed 148 wins at the school. Villanova has made the NCAA Tournament for the last four seasons, including three trips to the Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance. Wright came to Villanova following his tenure at Hofstra and has 270 career victories.
