Dick Jerardi: Spectrum hosted glorious college games

"A Tribute to Coach Hennessy" will take place at halftime of the 1 p.m. game. Hennessy won at least 35 titles in 24 seasons as the Neptune head coach.

This and that

Villanova can play at the Wachovia Center (where first- and second- round games will be held) but, to get site preference, the 'Cats would have to be a top five seed, the equivalent of one of the country's top 20 teams. That is possible, but they would have to win a few of those games I just talked about.

* Temple (RPI 49) is not far away. If the Owls can get into the top three of the final A-10 standings, I think they will be in play for an at-large. There is one way to get there. Win games, lots of games.

* St. Joe's (RPI 66) is playing much better, but all those close nonconference losses figure to come back to haunt the Hawks. Winning the A-10 Tournament solves all problems.

* La Salle (RPI 104) has a chance at a decent record, but the Explorers just don't have any big wins to hang their NCAA hats on. See above about A-10 Tourney.

* Drexel (RPI 94) has been great lately, but 2 years after the Dragons deserved an at-large bid they did not receive, they won't get one because of what happened then. They will have to win the CAA Tournament.

* Penn (RPI 226) has not played an Ivy game. Defending champ Cornell, however, is already 2-0 in the Ivy and won't be easily dislodged. In fact, the top of the Ivy (also Harvard and Yale) looks more difficult than it has been in some time.