Dick Jerardi: Sorting through the best of the Philly Big 5

NOW THAT WE ARE into February, it is time to start considering the Big 5 player of the year and potential members of the first and second teams. Some seasons, it is difficult because there are not enough good players. This is not one of those seasons.

I can make a reasonable case for 14 players for the two teams. By the end of the season (including all of the postseason), there could be more.

After the first month of the season, Penn's Zack Rosen had a big lead for the Geasey Award as Big 5 player of the year. Rosen's shooting was off-the-charts good early and he is the best passer in the city. Rosen began to draw so much defensive attention that his shooting was bound to suffer a bit. Still, he leads the Big 5 in scoring (18.8 points) while shooting 47.7 percent overall, 42.9 from three and 88.1 from the foul line, along with 6.2 assists per game. He was brilliant in Monday's win over Princeton. That he is a natural leader on a team with less overall talent than the other four also counts.

Temple's Ramone Moore will never dazzle with stats. Even with that, he is the leading scorer (17.4 points) in the Atlantic 10. The best word for Moore's game is "smooth." And he is absolutely a big-moments player. He can create his own shot or move without the ball to find a good shot. You really can't appreciate his game unless you are in the gym. He just knows how to play and it has been a joy to watch his game evolve through the years.

Villanova's Maalik Wayns would not have been in P/Y conversation a few weeks ago, but, after scoring 111 points in four recent games, he has absolutely forced himself into it, now that he is averaging 18.4 points. He is the hardest player to keep out of the lane because he is so good with the ball. Now that he has started to make long shots, he has made himself just about impossible to guard.

I am not sure they will ultimately be there for player of the year (although they might), but the Galloways are definitely in first-team conversation. Langston (Saint Joseph's) averages 15.9 points while shooting 51.5 overall and 48.8 from three. Ramon (La Salle) averages 15.5 points, shoots 50.7 percent overall and 48.1 percent from the arc. Also, Ramon is a relentless defender who often guards the other team's best perimeter player

Temple's Khalif Wyatt has to be in play for first team as well. He has so many ways to score while averaging 16.0 points. No player in the city is any more enjoyable to watch because he has all the tricks.