Drexel's issues have been obvious, if not easy to solve. They have committed too many turnovers and can't make shots when they get them. They shot just 35.7 percent against the Owls, not exactly one of the great defensive teams in city history.
A SHAME:
Remember the excitement of the Big 5 Classic when all six city teams congregated at the Palestra for an afternoon doubleheader and a single night game, a true celebration of Philly college hoops?
That was allowed to die and the 15,000 or so fans who would have come to those games disappeared. A "crowd" of 3,254 was at the Palestra for Temple-Drexel, not exactly a substitute for the tripleheader.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY:
ANOTHER FRESHMAN FORCE:
Anybody who saw DeJuan Blair play for AAAA state champion Schenley knew he was the perfect player for Pittsburgh. Doing just what he did to Chester in the 2007 state championship game, the 6-7, 225-pound Blair bullied Oklahoma State, shooting 8-for-10, with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Panthers' 85-68 win.
By the way, serious hoops buffs will know this: Schenley, from Pittsburgh, was the high school of the late, legendary Big 5 Hall of Famer, La Salle's Kenny Durrett.
ISSUES IN THE VALLEY:
Looked like Rick Pitino had a great team at Louisville. He might have one later, but not now. David Padgett and Juan Palacios are out with injuries; Derrick Caracter has been suspended.
The Cardinals lost to Purdue, 67-59, in the John Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis.
Don't play too close attention to what is happening now. Monitor the situation, and check back later. Do not be shocked if this group finishes much stronger than it has started.
BACK AT FREEDOM HALL:
Kentucky owns the state, Louisville just happens to be in it. The Wildcats annually play a game at Freedom Hall, just around the corner from Churchill Downs in Louisville.
